The government has issued a final warning to the teachers who are striking at the humanities department ordering them to report back to school by Friday this week or risk losing their jobs.
This is after the art teachers under their umbrella body, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) in Uganda launched their sitdown strike demanding a salary similar to the one offered to their science counterparts.
However, while speaking to a local television last evening the information Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi issued the warning and insisted that it was improper for the teachers to try and force the government’s hand.
According to Baryomunsi, those teachers who refuse to return to class by 30th June will be deemed to have resigned.
“If they refuse to go to class then we shall deem those who will refuse to go back to have resigned and if there are positions for a vacate measures will be taken to feel them. I am sure there are many Ugandans who want jobs,” said Baryomunsi.
However, the Secretary-General of the Uganda National Teachers Union Filbert Baguma seemed not to be moved by Dr. Baryomunsi’s threats saying his threats are ineffectual and teachers should stay at home until the government addresses their demands.
Meanwhile over 120,000 teachers since 15th of June 2022 refused to return to class despite calls from the government to work as the government considers their demands in the 2023, and 2024 financial years’ budgets.