Over 50 primary school teachers in Arua district have petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG) over nonpayment of their salaries, despite their patience.
The petition, according to the teachers was mainly fueled by failure of the district officials to address their complaints despite repeated empty promises to address the matter.
The petitioners say they haven’t received a penny worth their work since this financial year started in July.
Their demands.
The teachers want some deliberately unspecified district officials to be investigated over alleged incompetence exhibited in the management of payroll.
Furthermore, they have threatened to put their tools down and explore other options, because they cannot continue to teach while their children are at home due to lack of school fees.
One of the teachers at Obaru Primary school, Milka Draru, says that the delayed payment of her salary has greatly deteriorated the welfare of her family.
Another affected teacher, George Batre said that his children have been denied access to the classroom after failing to pay their school fees, because he hasn’t received salary for seven months.
According to the IGG West Nile coordinator Comboni Oyet, one of their priorities is ensuring people do not suffer administrative injustice like nonpayment of salaries. He confirmed receiving the petition saying it falls within their mandate.
The first attempt.
Towards the end of February, more than 40 primary teachers charged at the office of the Arua Chief Administrative Officer in protest of the delayed payment of their salaries.
The acting District Education Officer Henry Wadri blamed the delays on the anomalies that arose during the separation of the payroll for the newly created administrative units that were carved out of the greater Arua district.
However, the Arua district chairperson Alfred Okuonzi has expressed disappointment in the actions of the teachers, saying it will not solve the problem of teachers missing their salaries.
According to records from the district personnel office, there are more than 100 teachers affected by the salary anomalies.