Ugandan Teachers Return to Classrooms with Cautious Hope after Government's Assurances

Following a month-long standstill in education, Arts and Humanities teachers in Uganda are preparing to return to classrooms, as per their agreement with President Yoweri Museveni. The educators, who have been protesting against low pay, will resume their duties tomorrow, bringing an end to the nationwide industrial action that disrupted learning for thousands of students.

Though relief is palpable among teachers, many approach the deal with cautious optimism, wary of past broken promises and the test of government delivery. The teachers' association chairperson, Samuel Okello, expresses the collective sentiment: "It has been an incredibly difficult five weeks. Many of our members have struggled to make ends meet, yet we felt unheard and undervalued."

During the meeting at State House, President Museveni drew parallels to the country's past struggles, urging the teachers to consider the broader picture of national development. He also referenced earlier government approaches to remuneration, such as the decision to pay the Chief Justice Shs3.5 million as the highest public earner to ensure institutional stability.

The most significant development for the striking teachers was the President's proposal of a multi-pronged response to their demands. This includes a phased 25% salary increase, the construction of housing estates specifically for teachers, and free education for teachers' children as part of a broader social safety net akin to benefits provided to army officers.

Mr. Okello acknowledges the proposals as a step in the right direction, but he and his colleagues are taking a guarded approach. "We've heard promises before, and the economic situation for teachers has only worsened over the years. However, the commitment to tangible benefits like housing and free education for our children, alongside a phased pay rise, offers a practical path forward."

The Uganda Arts Teachers' Association (UATA) leadership has agreed to the President's call to return to work, enabling classes to resume and for teachers to begin marking Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scripts. This decision averts a looming crisis that could have delayed national exam results for thousands of students.

Now, as teachers prepare to return to their classrooms, attention turns to the government's next steps. Will the pledges made at State House usher in a new era of respect and support for Uganda's educators? For now, weary but hopeful, teachers are watching closely.