Parliament has recommended Shs49bn for salary enhancements for teachers in the next financial year. The report presented by the Committee Chairperson Jacob Opolot was approved on Friday in a plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. In his report, Opolot directed the Education and Sports Ministry to liaise with the Finance Ministry to expeditiously avail the Shs49bn. Earlier, government allocated Shs98bn in the current financial year 2018/2019 for salary enhancements for science teachers in secondary schools.
Opolot told parliament that despite his committee’s recommendation for a halt of the process as it was discriminating against arts teachers, his committee were informed that government enhanced all scientists leaving omissions and pay disparities.
The Pallisa County MP noted a 1st April 2019 decision by Cabinet to constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Moses Ali to study and review the special categories of public servants to be considered for enhanced pay, especially in the Health and Education sectors that were omitted during the implementation of the Phase 1 enhancement.
The Sub-Committee, according to Opolot approved Shs49bn as additional wage to the Education sector to address pay disparities caused by selective pay awards relating to head teachers, deputy head teachers, instructors, tutors and lecturers in education sector institutions that offer specialized training. He, however, noted that the money was not allocated in the budget for the coming financial year.
“It is important to note that a correction factor was applied to bring all categories above to 30% of the approved long term pay targets by 2023. Each of the categories covers teaching staff in secondary schools/ Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) and Teacher/Tutor, Instructor Education & Training (TIET) institutions,” reads part of the education committee report.
Opolot told parliament that salary distortion between science and non-science staff has been addressed in line with the approved pay targets and that out of the required Shs49bn, Shs46.9bn is required to address the distortions for staff in post while Shs2.09bn is required to correct the disparities in the on-going recruitment.
Mitooma Woman MP Jovah Kamateeka supported the issue of an enhanced salary structure for teachers saying that it is a step in the right direction. She also appealed for more funding to the Education Sector to improve the general learning conditions.
According to the Education Ministry Policy Statement, the budget for the education sector has increased from the Shs2.78tn in the current financial year to Shs3.28tn the next financial year. For comments, call or text us on 0704142939.
