There are many workers in our schools who make all the essential services in our schools possible.
Teachers who work under the Board of Management (BoMs) are typically subjected to very unfriendly terms and, on many occasions, to arbitrary terms and conditions.
Some of the workers include the teaching and non-teaching staff. Despite working sacrificially for the institution, most of these teachers stay for months without receiving their monthly dues.
These workers don’t have job security and are normally subjected to challenging conditions of service.
Teachers often work long hours beyond their contracted time, including grading papers, preparing lessons, attending meetings, and participating in extracurricular activities.
All these activities lead to unpaid overtime, which takes a toll on teachers’ well-being despite their dedication and hard work.
The school-stipulated work time is usually between 8am and 4.45pm. Any additional time worked should be compensated.
School boards must recognise the value of teachers’ time and efforts and ensure they are fairly compensated. This will improve morale, retention, and overall job satisfaction.
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Some of these teachers have never been registered with any trade union, and any teacher who questions maladministration is sacked. As such, they have to remain silent even when they see such ills to survive.
A good number of these teachers are put in place as informers for the administrators.
Why should schools engage teachers who are not paid in a timely manner despite receiving money designated for them?
The payments they receive are usually dismal and unlikely to assist them in settling bills affecting their families.
Owing to the commutative arrears schools owe them; some have resorted to selling school property like cows because of their hopeless situation.
The capitation most schools receive might not resolve their needs. As such, the government has to increase the capitation grants and release them promptly so that additional staff can be sorted out in a timely manner.
Teachers employed on a BoM basis must be prioritised because they are the centre of the board and the learners.
Some schools fail to remunerate these teachers during holidays, so they organise holiday tuition to support their families.
The BoM must prioritise essential staff payments and teachers’ salaries to enable them to meet their families’ demands, which include paying fees and other domestic matters.
All the administrators must respect these teachers and essential staff so that they can effectively deliver on their mandate.
It’s important to note that institutions should brace for very difficult times ahead if these teachers and workers are not properly cared for.
By Hillary Muhalya
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