Teachers defy minister, go on strike

BY FAUSTINE ODEKE  

Some teachers have gone on a two-day strike despite the government’s warning against taking part in it.
Some upcountry Schools remain closed and pupils were seen playing and loitering in the compounds.

In Tororo district a number of schools were closed as pupils were playing.
Some teachers told pupils on Friday not to report on Monday and Tuesday.

Pupils at St Jude primary school- Malaba said they were surprised to arrive at the school and did not find any teacher.
They played as the classrooms remained locked while others revised their books in the compound.

The district education officer Yona Gamusi Doya confirmed that there was no teaching taking place in schools.
Government on Sunday warned teachers against taking part in what was described as an illegal countrywide strike.  

Speaking to New Vision, the education minister, Jessica Alupo said teachers who miss classes today and tomorrow will be considered as having absconded from duty, a misconduct she said would attract punishment.

The teachers' union (UNATU) in collaboration with various civil society organizations over the weekend announced a two-day teachers' protest over poor pay and appalling conditions in public schools.

Earlier on Friday minister Alupo had issued a statement saying she had been assured by the UNATU that the organization wasn't involved in the planned strike.

But shortly after the teacher’s body issued a statement saying it will present a petition to Parliament on Tuesday as the rest of the teachers remain at home.

Surprised by UNATU's turn-around, the minister scoffed at their move, saying it was uncalled-for.  "The schools will remain open on Monday and Tuesday and we expect all parents to send their children for studies," the minister said, adding that even the legality of UNATU's action was doubtable.

Alupo explained that teachers fall in the same 'sensitive category' as Police and army where impromptu strikes by staff are illegal.  

She said even the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Government, which UNATU has been agitating for so long bars teachers from staging spontaneous sit-down strikes.

Source: New Vision