Pupils and students in Nakasongola district have been hit hard by the ongoing strike by teachers under the Universal Primary and Secondary Education program, which started about one month ago. More than 400 teachers in Nakasongola have not reported to work since the beginning of the first term on January 30, 2012.
Information obtained by URN shows that even the few teachers who have reported are not teaching to protest the government’s failure to pay their salary arrears for the past three months. As a result, affected students and pupils want the ministry of education and sports to intervene and pay off the teachers to call off their strike. They also want the ministry to make sure that they are compensated for the lost time since they have not been learning because of the strike.
Students and pupils interviewed by URN on condition of anonymity for fear of being reprimanded by their teachers say that they spend time in class playing and shouting because of lack of teachers. They claim that the few teachers who show up engage them for a few minutes and walk away because they are demoralized because of the government’s failure to teach. A senior five student at Nakasongola Secondary School told URN that they were expected to cover 7 topics in economics but only 3 have been covered because of the strike.
He is now doubtful, whether they will be able to complete the syllabus over the remaining time of the first time. He says that their failure to complete the syllabus could affect their performance. The student appeals to government to intervene immediately and pay the teacher because their future is at stake. Steven Ole, head teacher Nakatoogo primary school has confirmed that no lessons are taking place. He says that the teachers have vowed to continue with the strike unless government pays their salaries.
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George William Kajura, Nakasongola District Education Officer is worried that the ongoing strike will affect the performance of pupils and students in the district. Kajura says that they are now planning to petition the education ministry to extend the term to enable students and pupils cover the syllabus. He also appeals to the ministry of finance and public service to ensure that the teachers are paid without further delays.
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David Masereka, Nakasongola RDC says that they has drawn the attention of the president to the concerns of teachers in the district for immediate action.
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Trouble for the teachers in Nakasongola started last year, when their names were allegedly deleted accidentally from the payroll after the public service ministry introduced the Integrated Personal and Payment System. But Savia Mugwanya, the assistant commissioner in charge of the payroll says that information at the ministry shows that the affected teachers were reinstated on the payroll and money disbursed to their accounts. He is however surprised that the teachers have not yet received their money, adding that he will follow up the matter.
