Budget Countdown; Teachers Optimistic on Salary Increment
Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka
Ugandan teachers are optimistic that the impending budget will address the much-awaited 25% budget increment to their salaries as well as key funding issues affecting the performance of the education sector.
James Tweheyo, the General Secretary of Uganda National Teachers’ Union-UNATU says they are eagerly awaiting the realization of an outstanding undertaking by government to improve teacher’s welfare.
He says that after a series of failed promises, the teachers will hold the government accountable if the money is not allocated in the budget.
Also anticipated among the fraternity is the allocation of UGX 10 billion to boost the teachers SACCO. Last year, president Museveni Pledged Ugx 25 billion shillings towards the teachers SACCO and said the money would be disbursed in an installment of Ugx 5 billion per year.
However, the first installment released in the FY 2013-2014 has not been utilized owing to management wrangles between the teachers Apex Sacco and the Ministry of Education.
But Tweheyo says the teachers expect the release for the FY 2014-2015 to cater for the unutilized funding in the ending year.
Tweheyo adds that teachers are expecting a science allowance to be incorporated into the salary structure and paid as a consolidated salary.
He is also concerned about the piling salary arrears for teachers most of whom have missed salaries for over six months.
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