Several primary school children in Kitgum town council were on Monday seen loitering on the streets and others yawning and sleeping in classrooms after teachers refused to teach them.
The teachers have joined their colleagues across the country in demanding for better pay and improved services.
In several government aided primary schools in Kitgum town, pupils were seen roaming the streets, going home while others were playing by the road sides.
At Kitgum Public Primary school situated in the heart of the town, more than 900 pupils had reported on Monday for the start of the third academic term. But the children moved to the town centre after teachers reported to school but refused to teach.
When our reporter visited the school, the head teacher, Olworo Bright was not available on the school compound. Attempts to contact him on phone were unsuccessful as he put off his phone. Several teachers were seen discussing in groups of three and four. Attempts by URN to get comments from them proved futile as they refused to commit themselves.
Kitgum Prisons Primary is another school which responded to the request by Uganda National Teachers’ Union to lay down tools. On Monday morning, all the 10 teachers reported to school and signed the attendance book, but none had entered the classroom to teach by mid day.
The head teacher of the school, Alfred Odongo says he received a letter from the district UNATU office directing teachers to start their industrial action. He says since teachers are all members of the union, he cannot force them to enter classrooms against their will. Odongo explains that he is waiting for further instructions from the union before asking teachers to get to work.
Cue in: “opening third term…”
Cue out: “…preparing to teach”
He however notes that they are preparing to teach, once the standoff is resolved with the government.
Teddy Toolit, a teacher in the same school was however guarded in her response. Toolit claimed that today being the first day of the term, they were preparing their lesson plans and schemes of work to start teaching.
Innocent Okot, another teacher says for him there is no question of whether he should start teaching or not. He says all teachers are members of UNATU and will only resume teaching only when the union tells them to do so.
Cue in: “we are under the umbrella of…”
Cue out: “…the other two will fail”
He says teachers are employees of government and they will only back down if the government listens to them.
Reports from several other sub-counties also indicate that teachers have refused to start teaching, though they have reported to schools.
Kitgum District UNATU chairperson, Kenneth Arop Acire has urged the teachers not to back down in the face of threats to arrest them by the government. Acire says no one will intimidate teachers into submission.
Cue in: “resumed industrial action…”
Cue out: “…this is our position”
The District Education Officer, Amos Okwee Okaka could not be reached for clarification because by the time of filing this story, he had not reported to office.
