With just a fortnight away to Term one into the New Academic year 2023, a roller-coaster of issues is shaking up the sector.
Firstly, the Arts teachers are up in arms again claiming what they term a rightful share of their service in terms of payment. According to Philbert Baguma, the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) secretary General - "Arts teachers seek a pay rise to a tune of 100% just like Science teachers who were given a 300% increase".
Education State Minister for Higher Education, John C. Muyingo, Arts teachers should calm down because their issues are top priority on the ministiries table.
On the other hand, a number of schools - both at primary and secondary levels have also hikened their fees ahead of the new term.
The new developement comes after the Ministry of Education and Sports issued a circular recently barring schools from hiking fees - unless permitted the ministry.
The move by schools to defy this government directive on fees will now see parents digging deeper into their pockets to give their children an education.
A survey carried out by the DailyMonitor newspaper indicates that some schools in Wakiso, Mukono and Kampala have increased fees from anywhere between Shs. 100,000 and Shs. 600,000.
All this in play, the burden will even hit harder for parents with children in candidate classes. According to Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), they seek to raise registration fees for the National Examinations.
