In a crucial move to salvage Uganda’s education system from further disruption, the Ministry of Education and Sports has formally appealed to arts and humanities teachers who have been on strike to immediately return to their classrooms and supervise students, especially with national examinations approaching. The ministry’s appeal comes amid a tense stand-off sparked by long-standing salary disparities between arts and science teachers, which led to a nationwide strike affecting thousands of schools.
Background to the Arts Teachers Strike
The arts teachers strike was triggered by the massive salary imbalance that has persisted for years, where graduate arts teachers earn about UGX 1.07 million monthly while science teachers take home up to UGX 4 million. The Uganda Arts Teachers Association (UATA) and other teacher unions decried this disparity as discriminatory and damaging to the teaching profession and quality education.
The strike started in mid-June 2025 and quickly spread across public secondary schools, resulting in suspension of arts lessons and disruptions in overall academic schedules. The government faced mounting pressure after President Museveni personally chaired meetings with ministry officials and teacher representatives, pledging a phased salary increment package as part of long-term reforms.
Ministry of Education’s Request to End the Strike
In recent statements, the Ministry of Education emphasized the urgent need to end the strike, arguing that the future of students must not be jeopardized. With national exams slated to begin soon, arts teachers’ refusal to supervise examinations or participate in end-of-term assessments would further disadvantage learners.
The ministry, led by Minister Janet Museveni, called on arts teachers to resume work immediately, assuring them that the government is serious about addressing salary concerns through a structured, phased approach. The appeal also underlined that continued strike action harms both teachers and students, stalls national progress, and creates unnecessary anxiety among parents.
Government Promises and the Phased Salary Enhancement
The government’s new salary enhancement plan began in the 2024/25 financial year with over 25% of the UGX 500 billion annual salary package released to increase arts teachers' remuneration. The full implementation is slated over several years, with a target completion date of July 2026. Officials have also promised:
Review of PAYE Tax Structure: Adjustments to pay-as-you-earn taxes to increase take-home pay for arts teachers while balancing future pension implications.
Teachers' SACCO Support: Financial injections worth UGX 20 billion aimed at cooperative societies to bolster teachers’ welfare and financial stability.
Staff Housing: Planned construction of affordable staff housing to improve living conditions for teachers.
Furthermore, regular engagement with teacher unions and education stakeholders has been pledged to monitor and evaluate progress transparently.
Challenges and Teacher Sentiments
Despite government assurances, pockets of skepticism and unrest persist among arts teachers worried about the timely and full implementation of promises. Some unions vow to monitor compliance closely, ready to resume industrial action if progress stalls.
Several teachers have reportedly expressed frustration over previous delays in salary adjustments and unfulfilled commitments, calling on authorities for concrete timelines and accountability mechanisms.
Why This Matters for Uganda’s Education
The disruption caused by the arts teachers’ strike has highlighted the critical role of all subject teachers in delivering balanced quality education. The divide between science and arts educators not only undermines morale but risks the marginalization of humanities and creative disciplines vital for holistic national development.
Addressing the salary imbalances and improving teacher welfare is essential to:
Promote Teacher Motivation: Fair remuneration strengthens morale, commitment, and retention of qualified educators.
Ensure Quality Delivery: Students benefit from uninterrupted lessons and well-supported teachers with equal opportunities.
Uphold National Commitments: The government’s phased salary enhancement shows consistency with Uganda’s education sector strategic goals and constitutional principles of fairness.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Unity and Focus on Learners
The Ministry of Education’s call to end the arts teachers strike is a hopeful step toward restoring normalcy in Uganda’s schools. As teachers prepare to resume supervision duties and classroom teaching, the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises will be under intense scrutiny.
All stakeholders must work collaboratively to ensure that the phased salary increases are implemented on schedule and that other welfare programs materialize. Equally important is establishing strong monitoring frameworks and open dialogues to prevent future industrial action.
Most importantly, the focus must remain on the learners the heart of Uganda’s education system ensuring they get the consistent, quality education they deserve.
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