Striking Teachers in Uganda Are Called Unpatriotic, “Jokers”

In Uganda, teachers have been striking for increased pay as a result of recent inflation, which has risen above 20%. With their current salaries, it’s incredibly hard for teachers to survive, and they often have to seek second jobs to support themselves. Their second jobs can lead to absences and less consistent education for students.

Striking teachers have had to endure government threats, as the government has claimed that striking itself is illegal. A UNATU teacher’s union member, Pidson Bbaale, explained the strike, “This is not a strike. We are just mourning the declining quality of public education due to the Government’s negligence.” She continued to say that July 16th was a day on which teachers and pupils were being asked to stay home to represent a petition being taken to Parliament, in support of the education system.

Yet another blow to the teachers’ strike occurred on July 20th, when Lt. Col. Henry Masiko, head of the National Patriotism Secretariat, publicly called the striking teachers “a bunch of jokers” and called upon them to be more patriotic. He stated that service should take precedence over wealth, and that teachers should search for a side income if they need more money.

Creative Commons Love: World Bank Photo Collection on Flickr.com

Written by Susie Hufford