Lira City, 26th September 2024 – A pivotal stakeholder meeting was held at the Pacific Grand Hotel, Lira City, bringing together Human Resource Officers from the Lango Sub-Region. The meeting, organized by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), aimed to foster dialogue and address the shared challenges faced by teachers in the region. Key figures in attendance included the UNATU General Secretary, the National Representative for Secondary Education, the Regional Vice Chairperson Northern, Branch Chairpersons, the Regional Administrative Assistant, and the Branch Administrative Assistants.
Opening Remarks by Susan Racheal Akidi, Regional Vice Chairperson Northern
Susan Racheal Akidi opened the meeting by expressing her appreciation to the General Secretary for his unwavering commitment to addressing teachers’ welfare. She emphasized the importance of the collaboration between HR officers and UNATU, highlighting how such engagements help bridge gaps and create meaningful solutions to teachers’ challenges.
Address by the General Secretary
UNATU General Secretary Baguma Filbert Bates commended the HR officers for attending the meeting despite their busy schedules. He highlighted the critical role HR officers play in managing teachers, who form the largest group of public servants. Baguma also expressed concern over the increasing mental health issues among teachers, noting that 45 deaths had been reported in the Northern Region between January and August 2024. Contributing factors included alcohol abuse, school-related gender-based violence, and psychological stress from salary discrepancies.
Baguma acknowledged the challenges HR officers face, such as delays in salary payments, pension issues, and complications with the payroll system—many of which stem from changes in the payment systems. He stressed the need for continuous communication between HR officers and UNATU leaders to address these issues collaboratively.
The General Secretary also discussed the transition from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the Human Capital Management (HCM) system. He urged HR officers to promptly report any dropped membership codes to ensure teachers remain supported during crucial times, such as bereavements. He further raised recruitment challenges, particularly where teachers had not been properly coded despite completing their paperwork.
Plenary Discussions
During the plenary session, HR officers thanked UNATU for understanding their challenges and expressed their commitment to working closely with teacher leaders. They emphasized the need for greater sensitization and recruitment efforts, especially in educating teachers about their benefits. The HR officers also highlighted the importance of teacher induction and capacity-building efforts, which they believed could be strengthened through UNATU’s support.
There was also discussion about the current system of rewards and sanctions, which HR officers felt was overly focused on punitive measures, like transfers. They suggested improving evidence-gathering methods and investigating the high death rate among teachers. Additionally, HR officers praised the work of the Regional Administrative Assistant and committed to continued support for her initiatives.
Response from the General Secretary
In his response, the General Secretary explained that UNATU provides both active and passive support to its members, with the ongoing collaboration with HR officers being an example of passive support. He reaffirmed that the union advocates for teachers’ rights and provides assistance in cases of harassment and violence.
The GS also called for recognition of outstanding teachers during World Teachers’ Day celebrations. He also emphasized that UNATU does not control salaries but actively works to improve conditions for teachers. He noted the importance of HR officers working with empathy and compassion, treating teachers with a “human face.” In particular, he highlighted the reinstatement of dropped membership codes as a key responsibility of HR officers, ensuring smooth administrative processes.
Baguma also addressed the issue of teachers taking out loans without understanding the terms, which often led to long repayment periods and financial strain. He proposed financial literacy training as a solution. On the subject of rewards and sanctions, he encouraged HR officers to work towards a more balanced system that rewards good performance while maintaining discipline.
Regarding defilement, Baguma condemned such behavior in the strongest terms. He also spoke about the UNATU SACCO as a financial resource for teachers and encouraged participants to visit the UNATU website for further information.
Concluding Remarks from the National Representative for Secondary Education
In his closing remarks, Ogwal Ambrose, National Representative for Secondary Education, recognized HR officers as strategic partners in improving the quality of education in Uganda. He expressed appreciation for their continued engagement with UNATU and called for unity among stakeholders.
Ogwal raised the issue of teachers not receiving proper send off during burials, despite being public servants, and urged HR officers to ensure teachers are given the respect they deserve. He also pointed out cases of discrimination within the Secondary Sub-Sector and called for HR officers to guide both the public and teachers in addressing these challenges.
In conclusion, Ogwal emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration to support the social and economic rights of teachers.
