By The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, has appealed to striking teachers across the country to return to class, reminding them of their professional commitment and the government’s phased plan to improve salaries for all public servants.
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Dr. Turyagyenda acknowledged the frustrations of teachers overpaying but insisted that Uganda’s current financial constraints require patience and understanding.
“For me, I’m a teacher. I committed to teaching. I didn’t commit to earn a salary,” she said. “Once the schools have opened, you can teach as your leaders continue to engage government. Eventually, the promise made will be fulfilled.”
She reassured the teaching community that salary enhancement remains on the government’s agenda, not only for teachers but for all public servants. However, she cautioned that Uganda’s limited financial capacity means implementation must occur in phases.
“Your country does not have enough money. You know how much debt it has. But the government is committed,” Dr. Turyagyenda explained.
With emotional reflections on Uganda’s education journey, Dr. Turyagyenda recounted her own experience walking miles to school barefoot and the sense of safety and community that once defined rural Uganda. She contrasted this with today’s troubling trends, including rising cases of school dropouts and abuse.
“Now we have the very people who should protect our girls impregnating them,” she lamented. “What happened to us? We now need a project to tell you to teach all children and love them.”
Calling herself a “teacher by calling, by training, by profession, by practice, and by life,” the Permanent Secretary expressed deep disappointment in the deterioration of values in the education system and society at large.
She concluded her message with a passionate plea for a mindset shift and national reflection, stating, “Ugandans, don’t we need to repent?”
The Ministry of Education has been engaging with stakeholders to resolve the ongoing strike, which has disrupted learning in several government schools. Dr. Turyagyenda’s remarks are part of a broader appeal to restore normalcy as dialogue between the government and teachers’ unions continues.
