“We might not be able to fulfil the terms of our work contracts if the Government does not improve teachers’ working conditions,” said UNATU General Secretary James Tweheyo. “It would be unfair to set rigorous targets for school leaders, while they do not have the necessary human, material and financial resources to meet them. For instance, most schools lack science teachers and laboratory assistants.”

He also deplored the fact that chemicals reach their expiry date in laboratories before they are used by students, as many schools have neither science teachers nor laboratory assistants.

Performance contracts introduced

In 2010, the Ministry for Public Services introduced performance contracts for some public servants, including teachers, to assess employees’ performance. In March 2013, Ministry for Public Services’ officials declared that the performance contract scheme would be implemented in phases, with school leaders being targeted in the 2013-14 financial year. Education professionals who do not perform well will not have their contracts renewed, they announced.

Tweheyo noted that whereas a performance contract could be seen as a good idea, under the current working conditions, most school leaders would find it very difficult to achieve their targets.

Teachers’ low morale

Among other issues, he underlined the fact that many teachers are demoralised, following the public authorities’ decision to take them off the Government payroll for unclear reasons.

“Teachers are demoralised and are now trying, with great efforts, to ensure that their names are reinstated. As a result, they cannot achieve their goals,” Tweheyo added.

He also said that the staff in teacher training colleges have become demoralised, because their salaries have not been paid into their bank accounts since January.

The Education Ministry’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngobi, said teachers were free to write to the Ministry to raise their concerns about the performance agreements. He promised that the Ministry would react to the teachers' concerns after receiving a petition.

EI: Dialogue key to decent conditions

“We firmly support our Ugandan colleagues,” said EI Chief Regional Coordinator Assibi Napoe. “We also call on national authorities to engage in dialogue with education unions to ensure school leaders and teachers get decent pay and working conditions.”