Teachers in Masindi have expressed their concerns to the education policy review commission, highlighting that salary disparities between science and arts teachers have created discord within the education sector.
The teachers emphasized that this pay gap has resulted in a lack of respect for arts teachers among students, leading many of these educators to lose morale and consider early retirement. Hamidah Birungi, a teacher at Kabalega Secondary School, pointed out that the government’s decision to increase the salaries of science teachers has had a negative impact on their counterparts in the arts.
“The nation may have tried to sidestep the debate on salary differences between science and arts teachers, but it will continue to be an issue until the government revisits the matter and adjusts the salaries of arts teachers as well. Many of us have lost the motivation to teach because it feels like the government is fostering discrimination, even though we all invested in our education to become teachers,” Birungi stated.
Denis Ahaisibwe, another teacher from Kabalega Secondary School, mentioned that this disparity has not only widened the divide in staff rooms but also affected the respect arts teachers receive from students.
“Although we have tried to adapt to the situation, it’s embarrassing that teachers are losing respect in classrooms, with students viewing us as inferior to science teachers. Many students are now taking arts subjects lightly,” Ahaisibwe remarked.
Daniel Kasala, the Masindi municipal town clerk, questioned the commission on whether arts teachers across the country are concerned about this issue.
“I’m not sure who advised the president to take this stance. People might try to avoid the issue, but it will persist until it is properly addressed, or else our education sector will suffer. Science teachers, who the government is prioritizing, have multiple teaching jobs and are earning adequately, but their arts counterparts have lost motivation. I hope the government will address this soon,” Kasala said.
Beyond the salary issue, teachers also raised concerns about understaffing in schools.
“We urge the government to consider hiring more teachers, as we have about 60 schools, both primary and secondary, and 30 of them are government-run, yet they all face staffing challenges. Many teachers are paid through the Parents Teachers’ Association,” Kasala added.
Deo Balya, a teacher at Masindi Army School, suggested that the government should involve parents more in the education of their children to prevent complacency.
“In private schools, parents are strict with their children because they pay fees and expect value for their money. The government should find ways for parents to contribute, at least by providing food, so that they become key stakeholders in their children’s education and are motivated to monitor their performance,” Balya recommended.
Birungi also noted that government schools are often perceived as places for the underprivileged, and even the teachers working there avoid enrolling their own children in them, opting instead to borrow money to send them to private schools.
“If the government is serious about improving education, it should make it mandatory for teachers to enroll their children in the schools where they teach. This would encourage teachers to be more committed to ensuring their children achieve good grades,” Birungi concluded.