By Clement Wangira.
Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union (UPSTU) has warned that the union shall not tolerant voices that are against government policy on salary increment for science teachers.
UPSTU General Secretary Mr Mugaiga Aron Magambo told the Workers Eye that they were disappointment with trade unionists who are promoting marginalization against the implementation of government salary enhancements for science teachers.
He said it is unfortunate that Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) supported the marginalization and discrimination of scientists in the education sector during the implementation of government policy on salary enhancement for scientists in 2018.
Mr Mugaiga was responding to media reports where UNATU General Secretary Mr. Filbert Baguma said salary enhancement for science teacher would create discrimination between the scientists and humanities.
He said Uganda professional science teachers’ union UPSTU is a fully registered labour union and UNATU should not talk on its behalf.
Science Teachers broke away from the Uganda National Teachers Union, UNATU last year to form an independent Union, Uganda National Science Teachers Union that brings together all the Science teachers in the country. They blamed UNATU for having failed to support the government policy on salary enhancement for science teachers that saw teachers scraped off from the list of beneficiaries in 2018.
UPSTU national chairman Mr. Elong Vincent called on public sector trade unions to be united with one voice on collective bargaining regardless of who is getting what.
He said in the financial year 2018 -2019 government came up with a policy on salary enhancement for all scientists and science teachers were part and parcel.
” UNATU fought Science teachers and discriminated in support of humaity teachers. This is the same game being played now by union leaders .
Mr. Elong said salary enhancement for scientists is cutting across all sectors, Ministries/Departments like Local Government, Public Service, Police. UPDF, and all those sectors have employees of humanity but nobody talks about discrimination.
This is the time for all actors in teaching profession and the entire labour fraternity to show solidarity by supporting the government policy on increasing salaries for science teachers. They should also engage government to roll out the program further to humanities.
He warned that science teachers through their union, Uganda professional science teachers union will not entertain what they referred to as cheap survival politics being displayed by actors who are just looking for personal short – term gains benefits
Mr. Elong thanked the entire national leadership the union including regional and district coordinators whom he commended for having worked hand in hand tirelessly in ensuring the union registered teachers from all government schools countrywide.
“The storm is over by God’s grace. We now encourage cooperation and positive attitude towards the progress of Science teachers’ welfare and teaching of Science Subjects in our country. We must enhance science and technology in the country and the world at large,” he said.
On 25th August 2021 Uganda cabinet resolved to increase pay for science professionals including, science teachers, tutors and lecturers in public universities as a strategic intervention to build a knowledge-based economy.
President Museveni has for long committed to enhance the salaries for medical practitioners and other scientists, saying the government is focused on developing Uganda using a science-led development strategy■
