Gulu City, 24th September 2024 – The Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by UNATU took place at Kakanyero Hotel, Gulu City, bringing together Human Resource Officers from the Acholi Sub-Region and key representatives from the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU). Attendees included the General Secretary, the National Vice Treasurer, the Northern Regional Chairperson, branch chairpersons, regional coordinator, and branch administrative assistants. The discussions focused on addressing challenges faced by teachers, enhancing communication, and strengthening partnerships to improve teacher welfare.
Opening Remarks by Okidi Francis, Regional Chair for Northern Region
Okidi Francis expressed gratitude to the General Secretary for acknowledging the voices of teachers and collaborating with stakeholders. He reminded participants that this annual meeting has consistently yielded positive feedback as reported by the branch chairpersons. Okidi urged the Human Resource Officers (HROs) to familiarize themselves with the provided literature to better support teachers and bridge the communication gap between HR offices and educators. He recognized the critical role of HROs in sharing vital information and addressing teacher needs. He praised the recovery of deduction arrears in Gulu City. Okidi also highlighted the importance of addressing school-related gender-based violence and urged continuous advocacy for teacher welfare.
Key Address by Baguma Filbert Bates, General Secretary of UNATU
Baguma Filbert Bates emphasized the importance of HROs as strategic partners in serving teachers, their largest client group. He acknowledged the challenges faced by HROs, including being held responsible for issues such as transfers, salary delays, and pension management. The GS called for mutual respect between chairpersons and HROs, urging chairpersons to engage with HR offices rather than individuals. He highlighted the toll of economic pressures on mental health, citing salary discrimination and the issues surrounding the transition from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the Human Capital Management (HCM) system as key stressors.
Addressing financial concerns, Baguma discussed the high indebtedness among teachers. He called for HROs to devise means to regulate multiple loans and promote financial literacy, especially for vulnerable female teachers. Additionally, Baguma emphasized the need for continuous communication, particularly regarding salary issues and teacher recruitment through working with teacher leaders. He also raised concerns about the understaffing in schools, caused by deaths, absconding, and early retirements, urging HROs to formally report teacher shortages.
Plenary Session with HROs
The plenary session allowed the HROs to discuss critical issues such as the need for proper coding of UNATU members, double membership in other unions, and the ongoing recruitment of teachers. They raised concerns about alcoholism, school-related gender-based violence, and the need for financial literacy programs for teachers. Additionally, the issue of retired teachers not benefiting from union services was highlighted. HROs appreciated UNATU’s understanding of their challenges and called for regular talks between teachers and headteachers to address ongoing concerns.
The General Secretary’s Response to Key Issues
In response to concerns raised by the HROs, Baguma explained that membership issues relating to other unions should be addressed following Checkoff regulations. He noted instances where teacher codes dropped during transitions and assured that teachers could be re-added without filling out new forms. The GS further called for heightened awareness on loans and fraudulent activities targeting teachers.
Regarding retired teachers, the GS clarified that while UNATU is not a Social Security Fund, retirees still benefit from the bereavement fund. He emphasized that it is the right of members to subscribe to both UNATU and other unions if they wish. Additionally, Baguma reiterated that UNATU treats all members equally, regardless of their position, highlighting that the union opposes any form of discrimination. He also urged the Rewards and Sanctions Committee to operate fairly and stop using transfers as a form of punishment. Baguma encouraged HRs to involve themselves in disciplinary cases and collaborate with UNATU during recruitment processes.
Lastly, he called on HROs to be invited as guest speakers at UNATU functions like World Teachers Day, stressing the importance of continued collaboration. Baguma expressed his gratitude for the insightful questions and discussions raised during the meeting.
Closing Remarks by Aber Betty, Vice National Treasurer
In her closing remarks, Aber Betty thanked the HROs for their participation and guidance, acknowledging that the meeting helped bridge gaps in communication. She encouraged HROs to remain open to engaging with the union, particularly when addressing teacher welfare. Aber Betty highlighted the challenges teachers face due to low salaries and called for HROs to provide good hospitality when teachers visit their offices. She stressed the importance of counseling teachers on the dangers of taking out multiple loans and urged them to embrace the UNATU SACCO as a means of financial support.
She also encouraged administrators to be lenient when dealing with teacher-related issues and emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration between UNATU and HROs to improve teacher welfare. Aber Betty concluded the meeting by thanking all participants for their contributions and officially declaring the meeting closed.
Conclusion
The Northern Region Stakeholders Meeting fostered a strong collaboration between UNATU and Human Resource Officers, addressing key issues like financial literacy, teacher welfare, and communication. This partnership is set to make a lasting impact on improving the welfare of teachers in the Acholi Sub-Region, ensuring better support and solutions for their needs moving forward.
