By Micheal Atwakiire
Sheema: Richard Tugume, the Sheema municipality Uganda National Teachers Unions (UNATU) chairperson, has alerted government to be aware of the teachers’ demand for salary increment in the next financial year.
While celebrating the International Teacher’s day at Sheema stadium in Kabwohe town, Tugume said that “The Banyankore have their proverbs like ‘akakye kazira muriisho’ and ‘Enyongyeserezo tebankye ‘ and the Baganda say “Nyama ntono okayana eri munkwaawa’. We appreciate the small increment but we must continue demanding for more salary increment in the next financial year, so be aware as early as possible. “
Tugume also revealed his total disappointment with most public officials who he said are working so hard to make sure that their children shouldn’t become teachers.
“Our guest of honor, we know most of you are doing whatever it takes to give your children the best education so that they don’t end up in teaching, which is taken as a last resort profession when all others fail.
Who will teach Uganda’s ever increasing population if you ignore the fact that fewer young people are interested in teaching and those currently enrolled are ready to quit? Did you know that most young teachers opt out from the profession for other more lucrative ventures such as petty business, domestic work in Arab Emirates countries and the like? But why? ” Tugume wondered.
He added that “What makes me cry seeing teachers being under rated by the people whom they taught to be what they are and that those who don’t want to increase their salaries ,were also taught by them “many times I wonder and I cry, young teachers have joined the profession at a time when public regard and general respect for teachers is at all-time low.
You will agree with me that today musicians, media personalities, lawyers, doctors, politicians get more praise than us teachers who are behind their success.
The salaries and allowances in the teaching profession are much lower than those of our colleagues with similar qualifications in other professions, remember even our working conditions are too poor.”
Frank Kyereere, the Sheema Resident District Commissioner (RDC), who taught for more than 13 years, replied Tugume saying that “By the way there is also a good future after teaching like starting a business.
It’s not true that the young generation hates teaching; go to teachers training schools. They are full of students, recently they announced two teaching vacant positions but the Education Service Commission received more than 1000 applications.
Therefore I tell you that even if you retire now, we have more than 1000 profession teachers to replace you.”
He added that “Always be appreciative you people; when I was a teacher in 1980s, my salary couldn’t buy a pair of trousers because I remember one time when I went to the market to buy one immediately after receiving my salary, but I couldn’t get it, because the trousers were more expensive what I earned.
I bought yellow bananas and pancakes and returned home. But your salary today buys more than 50 trousers; so, thank president Museveni for his efforts and ask God to retain him in power such that he can keep increasing your salary. But don’t demand!”
