Ssenyonyi Calls for Salary Balance Between Science and Arts Teachers

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi has called for the balancing of salaries of science and arts secondary teachers.

Currently, science teachers earn significantly higher than their colleagues. However, according to Ssenyonyi, this policy may not be viable as it alienates the arts counterparts. While speaking during Plenary this week, Ssenyonyi asked State Minister for Education, Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo, for a report on the impact of this government decision.

“These teachers sit in the same staff room and work the same hours. It would be good to have an assessment some time down the road. Is it worth that the government was insisting that science teachers are better than their arts colleagues?” Joel Ssenyonyi.

Ssenyonyi also warned that this policy demoralizes the arts counterparts yet they also contribute to the development of the country. Ssenyonyi’s submission came after Minister Muyingo was tasked to explain why salaries of science headteachers are lower than those of classroom teachers. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa had cited incidents where some headteachers hinted at returning to the classrooms.

However, the Minister deflected the issue to the finance ministry, saying they are the ones in charge of payments. Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama acknowledged the challenge in the payments. She promised government’s swift response and intervention to the issue.

During the same plenary sitting, Minister Muyingo was tasked by Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu on the situation of closed training colleges.

“It is four years since you closed teachers’ colleges. You have to respond to teachers seeking early retirement. Because you don’t have teachers to replace them, but they are going out. At the end of the day, the effect is on our children.” Joseph Ssewungu.

Ssewungu warned that the practice of educationists signing out of the profession on early retirement is detrimental to the nation. He explains that this contributes to a high student-to-teacher ratio, with some schools experiencing ratios as high as 100:1.