WHEN ARE WE TO SEE WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY A PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN UGANDA?

WHEN ARE WE TO SEE WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY A PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN UGANDA?
While Ugandans jubilated over the Uganda Crane’s 3 – 0 win against Angola, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Senior Management of Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) instead were meeting the President of Uganda (the year 2010). During that meeting, the President agreed to the proposal to gazette World Teachers’ Day which falls on the 5th of October as a national public holiday in Uganda in recognition of the teachers and their contribution to national development.
Other issues that were discussed include:
1. The Ministry of Education was asked to follow up with the Ministry of Public Service to ensure that a technical team is set up to expedite the process of operationalizing the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The agreement is to allow for institutionalized involvement in the decision making processes such that welfare issues including teachers’ remuneration are jointly discussed in the budget preparation process.
2. The issue of the allowance paid to teachers in districts that are geographically disadvantaged and or remote for example Karamoja, Kalangala, Bundibugyo.
3. The representation of professional workers in Parliament.
4. Establishing alternatives and suitable strategies to provide school feeding so that children get mid day meals.
5. Teachers paying tax
6. Teachers who have put in 15 years teaching to be considered for receipt of 50% of their gratuity as a tool for motivation and retention.