Humanities teachers in Rukungiri District have vowed to continue their strike despite the government’s call for them to return to class.

The teachers, who are protesting the disparity in pay compared to their science counterparts, say they will not resume work until their salary demands are met.

The decision was made during a meeting at Palm Real Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality, attended by all district humanities teachers.

Fred Turamyomwe, the coordinator of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers’ Union in Rukungiri, confirmed the strike would continue indefinitely.

“We will not return to class unless our salaries are adjusted. The teachers are demanding UGX 6.5 million for head teachers, UGX 4.5 million for deputy head teachers, UGX 4 million for degree holders, and UGX 2.2 million for diploma holders,” Turamyomwe stated.

This move follows a meeting between the union’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and government officials last week, where the government urged teachers to end the strike.

However, Turamyomwe emphasized that the NEC would not make a decision without consulting the teachers at the grassroots level.

Teachers, including Aurelia Tumuhiise and Esau Isingoma, expressed frustration over the government’s failure to recognize their contributions.

They argued that humanities subjects are essential, with English being crucial for understanding science and other subjects.

“If humanities are no longer valued, the government should remove them from the curriculum,” Tumuhiise said.

The strike is set to continue until the government meets the teachers’ salary demands.