On 23rd September 2024, youth teachers from the Northern Region gathered at Kakanyero Hotel, Gulu City, for a workshop aimed at fostering leadership, union engagement, and professional development. The event attracted 120 youth representatives from various districts within the Acholi sub-region. Key speakers included UNATU General Secretary Baguma Filbert Bates, National Vice Treasurer Aber Betty, Northern Regional Chairperson Okidi Francis, various Branch Chairpersons, and Regional Coordinator Thociba Patricia.
Fostering Leadership and Union Involvement
In his opening remarks, Okidi Francis, the Northern Regional Chairperson, welcomed the youth participants and introduced them in their district clusters. He emphasized the critical role of youth within the union, referring to them as the “heart of the union.” He urged the participants to engage with union literature, participate in elections, stay informed about policies such as the Teacher Bill, and take the lead in fighting School-Related Gender-Based Violence. He also called on youth from the secondary subsector to act as ambassadors for UNATU, promoting unity and speaking with one voice.
Workshop Objectives and Overview
The General Secretary, Baguma Filbert Bates, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but also the leaders of today.” Baguma encouraged youth teachers to take on leadership roles beyond formal elections, sharing his personal journey of becoming a teacher leader early in his career. He underscored the essential role youth teachers play in supporting union activities and urged them to embrace technology to enhance communication and access to information. Participants were also shown how to navigate the union’s website, www.unatu.org, to access authentic and vital information for teachers.
Addressing Key Issues in Education and Professional Development
During his session, the General Secretary addressed several key issues affecting the education sector. He outlined the three central frameworks of the National Teachers Policy: the Social Dialogue Framework, the Continuous Development Framework, and the Teacher Incentive Framework. These frameworks, he explained, are designed to improve teacher welfare and ensure recognition for their contributions. Baguma also encouraged youth to upgrade their professional qualifications, recommending institutions like UNITE, which focus on education.
Understanding the Legality of UNATU
A session on the legality of UNATU emphasized the constitutional rights of teachers and the importance of understanding and upholding these rights. The General Secretary explained, “Rights are inherent and universal in nature and must be respected.” He urged participants to familiarize themselves with the Constitution of Uganda, particularly Chapter 4 on rights, and highlighted their right to join unions and engage in collective bargaining. Baguma further encouraged the youth to read literature related to their profession and the union’s mandate.
Avoiding Multiple Loans
Baguma also warned against the dangers of taking multiple loans, noting that many loans are often acquired for non-income-generating purposes such as paying bride price. He advised participants to consider UNATU SACCO, which offers loans at lower interest rates. He called the youth to engage in financial literature to avoid fraud.
On retirement he had an interactive session where he discussed mandatory retirement at 60 and different the other retirement categories such as retirement on marriage grounds, sickness, and public interest, providing detailed guidance on each.
Youth Concerns and Plenary Discussions
The workshop included a vibrant plenary session where youth participants raised concerns about the disparities between Science and Arts teachers, issues with the recent validation exercise, and queries on early retirement and salary arrears and other teacher welfare issues like corporate wear. The GS provided comprehensive responses, particularly on accessing loans through the UNATU SACCO and understanding retirement processes. “Think globally, act locally,” he advised, urging teachers to embrace the evolving role of facilitators of learning in the 21st century.
Closing remarks from the Vice National Treasurer
Aber Betty, the Vice National Treasurer, delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude to the youth participants and the General Secretary for his insightful contributions. She encouraged the youth to act as ambassadors of the union, spreading the knowledge gained and recruiting more members. Aber also acknowledged the efforts of the branch leaders in mobilizing the youth and called on the participants to embrace leadership opportunities within their districts.
Conclusion
The workshop not only equipped youth teachers with vital knowledge on policy, union leadership, and professional development but also reinforced their role as key contributors to the union’s mission. As future leaders, the youth of Acholi sub-region left the workshop empowered to take on greater responsibilities and ensure that the values of UNATU are upheld within their schools and communities.
Thanks to the GS for spreading the gospel of the union am with this information many teachers are coming to light of what is taking place with the union and the country at large. Thanks again