Education state minister Kamanda Bataringaya
Ministries of finance and public service are negotiating over the 20% salary increment for teachers, MPs have heard.
Appearing before the education committee, state minister for primary education, Kamanda Bataringaya, reiterated the Government’s commitment to honour its pledge.
“I want to assure you that we have not ignored this issue (salary rise); in fact discussions over this matter are underway.
Let’s now wait for the outcome,” the minister assured the committee, chaired by the Mityana Woman MP, Sylvia Namabidde.
He explained that there was no way the ministry could have included the 20% increment in this years' budget without being assured by the public service ministry where the money would come from.
“We shouldn’t be blamed for this delay because we even had a meeting with the Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU) and informed them about this development. It should rather be Public service ministry to blame because it’s the one responsible for paying salaries,” he added.
The UNATU executive on June 25 gave the Government a 90-day ultimatum to include their 20% salary increment in this year’s budget, lest they hold a countrywide strike.
This followed last year’s Government commitment to enhance teachers’ pay in a phased manner, starting with a 15% increment in financial year 2012/2013 and 20% in 2013/2014.
Another 15% would come in 2014/2015, thus making it a 50% increment.
“Please make sure these discussions are concluded before the end of August this year so that teachers don’t lay down their tools,” Palisa County MP, Jacob Opolot told the minister.
President Yoweri Museveni recently warned teachers against strikes.
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