Teachers demonstrate for better service condition

Bole (NR), Nov. 8, GNA - Teachers in Bole, in the Northern Region, have organised a three-hour peaceful demonstration to press in their demand for more pay and better condition of service.

They marched through the principal streets of the town, with placards, some of which read, "Teachers need their reward now, Teachers are suffering, and Government should realise the importance of teachers. They later converged at the Bole District Assembly block where a five-point resolution was read and later presented to the Acting District Co-ordinating Director to be forwarded to the government. Mr. George Bamilekuu, the District GNAT Chairman, who presented the resolution on behalf of the teachers, regretted at the foot dragging attitude of government towards the on-going salary negotiation, he explained that GNAT was organising the protest demonstration to buttress their demand.

The five-point resolution stressed that government's refusal to sign the memoranda of understanding on September 8, 2005, was an affront to the dignity of teachers, and that, they were not ready for the 'U' turn negotiated salaries for 2005 by the government and called on the government not to use teachers as "underdogs" in times of salaries adjustment.

It also called on the mediators to fast track their mediation with the Labour Commission but warned that, anything short of their demands would lead to total withdrawal of their services.

Receiving the resolution, Abdul Karimu, Acting District Co-ordinating Director, promised to present it to the District Chief Executive, who was on a trip outside the district for the necessary action.

Mr Karimu however, advised the teachers to go back to work, whilst waiting for necessary action on their resolution by government.