President Museveni said that the government is working towards increasing the salaries of teachers, health workers.
President Yoweri Museveni Tuesday said that government is working towards increasing the salaries of teachers, health workers, soldiers and government scientists as a reward for the tremendous work they play in the country.
Museveni made the remarks while officiating at the scientific National Celebrations of the International Teachers’ Day held at the State House Entebbe on Tuesday. He said that he is aware of the salary disparities happening among government workers but they are working around the clock to address the problem.
‘’I continue to reiterate government’s position towards improving the salaries of teachers, health workers, soldiers and government scientists. I need you the people to talk to your MPs to agree with this.”
”I am also aware of the salary disparities among government workers, some are taking home so much, while others are earning so little. We shall have a review using the Unified Salaries Board to address this matter,’’ the President said before applauding the role played by teachers countrywide in trying to educate children.
The President, however, raised worries that they teach wrong things. He urged them to spend more time and emphasis on subjects and topics that help Uganda and Africa as a whole to advance.
Museveni who was first to demand insight into the matter explained that today, children across the country are trained on how to apply other people’s computers rather than making their own.
“I congratulate you for being teachers but teachers can also teach the wrong things. So we must make sure that we teach what will make Africa move forward. You’re doing a great job as teachers but sometimes you teach wrong things,’’ Museveni told teachers.
‘’I urge our teachers all over the country and the Ministry of Education to tailor our system to the needs of our people, we should teach what will help Uganda and Africa move forward.’’
Museveni also gave an example of one professor from Makerere University who he tasked to manufacture a computer a few years back but up to now, he has never given him feedback.
‘’One time I called Professor Baryamureeba (Venansius), yes that one who was at Makerere University. I said to him that since you are a serious computer wizard/Scientist, please make us one computer. Up to now, he has never gotten back to me.’’
‘’This is because the pre-colonial education trains children to use other people’s computers rather than making their own. In light of this year’s theme and the pandemic effects, it is the time for teachers to reimagine the future and lead us through this crisis,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, this comes at a time when schools have less than two weeks to reopen for commencing of studies following months of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ministry of Education and Sports earlier this week made it clear that only those schools that are in a position to observe the COVID -19 Standard Operating Procedures will be given operating licenses to reopen for work.
