Head teachers and deputies want salary increment, bitter over juniors' salary increment

In the petition, 550 senior educators are demanding to be paid Shs6.5 million for head teachers and Shs4.5 million for deputies following government's decision to increase the pay of classroom science teachers.

In addition to the salary increment, they proposed that the Ministry of Education to recognise them in the same esteem as their colleagues in health facilities, vocational and technical institutions, plus farm schools. Under the proposal their allowance would also be elevated to Shs3.9 million annually.

The matter was presented to parliament by Kalungu West Member of Parliament Joseph Ssewungu. He addressed the Minister of Education and the Minister of Public Service asking them to clarify on the inequality.

Last week, a new salary structure was released indicating the pay rise for scientists, and legal officers under the Directorate of Public Prosecution. The structure comes on the backdrop of the strike arts subjects educators carried out protesting 'favouritism' for their science colleagues.

The Minister of State for Industry, David Bahati, responded to Ssewungu saying that government will increase salaries gradually under the ongoing harmonisation and reconciliation of salaries.

In due time, he said, the Minister of Public Service will present a statement to parliament.

Geoffrey Macho, Busia Municipality Member of Parliament, mentioned that salary inequalities have demoralised teachers.