Science tutors maintain strike despite government appeals

Science tutors at 23 core Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs) across Uganda have steadfastly continued their strike, despite appeals from the ministry of Public Service to end the industrial action.

The strike, which began on April 3, 2024, was initiated by members of the Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (UPSTU). The union has cited the government’s decision to remove science tutors and some ICT teachers from the approved science pay scale as the primary reason for their protest. The ongoing strike highlights the educators’ resolve in seeking fair compensation and recognition for their roles within the educational system.

The changes were noticed from July-August 2023 to the present, with some tutors having gone for eight months without pay. Tutors on the U4 scale (graduates) saw their monthly pay reduced from Shs 4 million to Shs  1.1 million, and diploma holders on the U5 scale experienced reductions from Shs  2.2 million to approximately Shs 800,000 and Shs 900,000.

UPSTU leaders have demanded that the ministry of Public Service address issues with its technical officers who mistakenly removed science tutors from the payroll and downgraded their approved pay, contrary to guidance from the ministry of Education affirming their status as scientists in these institutions.

In a letter dated April 1, Stephen Opio Okiror, representing the permanent secretary of the ministry of Public Service, wrote to the UPSTU general secretary, urging science tutors to end the strike.

Opio highlighted in the letter that the ministries of Public Service and Education are actively working to address the salary concerns raised by the union leaders.

He wrote, “The purpose of this communication is to ask you to call off the ongoing industrial action and allow us time to conclude on the issue. However, for this issue to be adequately resolved, there is need for policy harmonization – a reason it has taken time to conclude,” Opio is quoted as saying.

He invited the UPSTU leaders to an inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for early May 2024, where the government will present its position and discuss any other outstanding issues.

In a decisive move, the UPSTU leaders have resolved to continue applying pressure on the ministry of Public Service, vowing to persist with their industrial action until concrete steps are taken to resolve their grievances.

“We appreciate the steps taken so far to resolve the matter. In our internal discussion, we have agreed to halt the industrial action immediately after the affected science tutors are reinstated on their appropriate science salary scale,” said UPSTU General Secretary Aron Mugaiga in a letter dated April 17, 2024. The UPSTU’s response was received by the ministry of Public Service on April 19, 2024.

Mugaiga continued: “We hope this reinstatement is carried out promptly to allow our members to resume work accordingly. We remain committed to continuing our engagement with you to ensure that this issue is completely resolved.”

He emphasized that since the ministry of Education has clarified that the affected tutors are indeed scientists, “we ask you to reinstate all those affected at the various colleges.”

MAGNITUDE OF THE STRIKE

Science tutors who spoke to The Observer said that the disregard for their welfare is demoralizing the teaching profession, which has recently seen policy adjustments aimed at restoring its prestige.

In April 2019, the cabinet approved the National Teacher Policy, which requires that anyone entering the teaching profession at any level must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. All current teachers who do not have degrees must obtain one by August 2029. Teachers who will be 60 years old by 2029 are exempt from this requirement.

Presently, many Grade III teachers [those who completed secondary education S.4 and received certificates in Education] have enrolled in colleges to earn diplomas as part of their degree upgrade. Unfortunately, the tutors who typically teach these weekend courses are on strike—a situation that could potentially extend the teachers’ study period.

The strike has gained substantial support from both arts teachers and students, who have shown solidarity with the science tutors. At Busuubizi Core PTC in Mityana, the first college affected by the strike, the principal has unsuccessfully tried to engage with the tutors.

A tutor from Busuubizi, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “People are receiving messages threatening imprisonment for participating in the strike. I used to earn Shs 4m as a science tutor, but my pay was suddenly reduced to about Shs 750,000 without any explanation.”

David Natukunda, a science tutor at St George’s Ibanda Core PTC, reported that no science tutors have been present at the college since the strike commenced. “Students are supposed to be conducting research, but we are not there to guide them as expected. Additionally, some students were supposed to participate in sports in Kabale, but the Physical Education tutors refused to prepare the students,” Natukunda said.

At Bishop Willis Core PTC in Iganga, Andrew Magenge, a Mathematics tutor, noted that most students in the humanities have started skipping lectures. “Last weekend, of the 130 students enrolled in science disciplines, only five showed up, and they were not attended to,” he explained.

Magenge added, “We are fully committed to the strike. The college administration organized a staff meeting, but none of the 25 science tutors attended. We remain steadfast and resolute; until our concerns are properly addressed, we will not return to teaching.”

Smith Tayebwa, an Integrated Science tutor at Bushenyi Core PTC, called on the public service to address their concerns swiftly. “Our main worry is that we might close the financial year without receiving our pay and arrears. The Public Service mistook us for primary school teachers, which we are not. We hold degrees and are currently pursuing master’s degrees as required by the new policy,” he explained.

EDUCATION MINISTRY RESPONDS

Dr Denis Mugimba, spokesperson for the Education ministry, clarified in an interview that some science tutors were inadvertently removed from the approved pay scale by the Public Service ministry during the transition from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the Human Capital Management (HCM) system. Unfortunately, the HCM system does not recognize some tutors as scientists.

“It is incorrect to say that the Education ministry has not been proactive in this matter. We have already submitted the necessary details requested by the Public Service. Furthermore, the issue regarding the staff who have not been paid for several months has now been resolved,” Mugimba stated. He added that discussions continue with the ministry of Public Service and the affected science tutors.

nangonzi@observer.ug