As the teachers’ strike enters its third week, the government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, has claimed that the ongoing industrial action that started on June 15 is being pushed by the “how dare you” attitude from art teachers.
Opondo believes that “Enugu (jealousy) provoked the art teachers to strike.”
“I suspect their strike is being pushed by the” how dare you “attitude when we mark the same books in the staffroom,” said Ofwono Opondo while appearing on the NBS Frontline show.
According to Opondo, teachers who are striking should feel free to resign.
“No one is forcing the teachers back to class, but all Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) members are holding appointment letters. If you think the terms of the government are no longer favourable, please leave,” he said.
Opondo blames COVID-19 for the delay in enhancing salaries.
“The promise to enhance salaries was made in 2017/2018, but nobody anticipated COVID-19, which took our finances. We expect UNATU leadership to understand,” he said.
However, the General Secretary of UNATU, Filbert Baguma, insisted that the industrial action would go on until they reached a mutual agreement with the authorities.
“We have received two letters, one from the Minister and the other from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service.
The letter addressed to me says the teachers will be paid in the medium term. We shall get back to the Permanent Secretary to know what medium-term means. The teachers and the leaders will need clarity, “he said.
UNATU is set to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Public Service today.