Teachers insist no classes on Monday It is still uncertain whether public schools will open on Monday for third term as government and teachers have hit a deadlock. The Education minister and the Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) failed to come to an understanding yesterday, throwing the fate of the students into limbo. Ms Jessica Alupo yesterday described as rumours reports that teachers had demanded for her resignation. She said she had not received any formal communication asking her to resign. The minister, however, added that she handed over her report to the President on Wednesday and expects schools to open. She said teachers are expected to meet President Museveni on Monday as negotiations continue. The President last month instituted a committee headed by Ms Alupo to look at the Budget and find money that would see government fulfill its 20 per cent salary increment pledge to teachers. “There was money identified by the committee the President formed. I handed over the six-page report to the President yesterday (Wednesday). I understand the teachers also made a separate report and are expected to meet him. But as they meet, I expect schools to open and that the rest of the teachers will be teaching,” Ms Alupo said. But teachers yesterday insisted on their demand, indicating that they would down their tools tomorrow when their 90-day ultimatum to government ends. Mr James Tweheyo, the Unatu general secretary, said he was not aware of the meeting with the President on Monday but added they would meet him once they are called upon. “We shall not relent until funds are given to teachers and children go to school. I am not aware of any meeting with the President. As the chair of the committee the President instituted, Ms Alupo is mandated to deliver the report but we didn’t sign it because we didn’t agree on their findings,” Mr Tweheyo said. The planned teachers’ strike has put parents whose children go to public schools in a tight situation as they look for fees but also have to get to terms with the uncertainty surrounding the school term opening. Third term is the most crucial period on the school calendar where students prepare to do both promotional and national examinations. Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi yesterday confirmed the meeting, saying the teachers have ‘unfinished business’ with the President. “If the minister has said so, it is true because those Unatu people met the President recently and claimed they know where idle money is. He gave them two weeks to make a report and I think they want to tell him what they have discovered,” he said. Teachers have previously indicated that they identified Shs243b from the Budget which ministries spend on trips abroad, entertainment, food, allowances, newspapers and periodicals to meet their demand. Ms Alupo’s reaction comes a day after Unatu asked her to resign over government’s failure to fulfill their promised 20 per cent salary increment. However, Ms Alupo yesterday said: “We also need the money they are talking about badly for all ministries. We can’t forego regional or international conferences because they are also important aspects of our operations.” On Tuesday Ms Alupo directed all chief administrative officers to ensure government schools open and head teachers report to their duty stations to receive parents and their children for third term on September 16. In a statement yesterday, Mr Tweheyo asked all teachers to remain at home until their demands are met. williamcheptoek@gmail
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 06:55:04 +0000
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