Why science teachers are opting for early retirement

Ntungamo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Amidst the recent substantial pay raise for science teachers, there are reportedly opting for early retirement which is enticed by retirement benefits that exceed the current salaries of arts teachers.

Mercy Orikiriza, Acting District Inspector of Schools in Ntungamo, expressed concern over the current situation. She noted that since the beginning of the year, numerous teachers and headteachers have reported issues related to the science teachers seeking retirement.

“This is a serious issue that needs immediate attention,” Orikiriza told our reporter, highlighting the paradox of teachers seeking early retirement despite the recent pay increases. She emphasized the urgency of addressing these concerns to prevent further disruption in the education sector.

However, she was unable to provide specific statistics on how many science teachers from her district have either been granted early retirement or submitted their resignation papers. Orikiriza explained that the lack of detailed data at the district level is due to the fact that the retirement process for post-primary teachers is managed at the ministry level.

But, our reporter has obtained similar reports of science teachers seeking early retirement from education officers in Rubirizi, Kiruhura, Rwampala, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Mitooma districts.

Peace Barungi, the Mitooma District education officer, indicated that the early retirement of science teachers is a direct result of the recent salary enhancement. She explained that those seeking early retirement are scheming to receive a substantial payout in gratuity. Barungi added that they are also confident of a monthly pension which is higher than the salaries of active arts teachers, exacerbating the situation.

As one of the means to boost performance in science subject, government increased post primary science teachers’ salaries by 300% was intended to enhance performance in science subjects. This adjustment saw Grade V and Graduate science teachers’ salaries rise to three million and four million shillings, respectively, up from 796,000 and 1.1 million shillings.

The figures paint a striking picture; available information shows that retiring science teachers are awarded gratuity exceeding 100 million shillings and, subsequently, receive monthly pensions above 1 million shillings.

Currently art teachers are earning a net pay of about 800,000 shillings.

With the attractive retirement package, Barungi points out that many teachers plan to invest the funds into personal projects and startups. “Moreover, the pension itself is quite substantial It’s a strong incentive to use the one-time hefty payout for starting a new venture,” she explained. “Consider that retirees receive what others in active service earn monthly. Additionally, some of them will continue to work in private schools or even in public schools on PTA contracts which is pretty a better deal to them,” she added.

Meanwhile, the dramatic increase for science teachers, coupled with the neglect of arts teachers, created tensions within the teaching community. Despite this, the President has maintained that arts teachers will receive salary increases when government funds become available.

The situation has become even more contentious now that it has emerged that retired science teachers receive higher pensions than active arts teachers, further fueling discontent among arts educators.

To address the situation, the education officers have suggested that the Education Policy Review Commission recommend to the government the development of a clear teacher service scheme. This scheme should outline the enumeration of teachers, retirement procedures, and retirement benefits to ensure greater clarity and fairness.

Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Secretary to Education Service Commission, also told Uganda Radio Network that the Commission also received similar reports from individual headteachers and education officers during their field visits.

From his personal perspective, the significant salary increase was likely to have this effect, as it aligns with human nature. He suggested that instead of implementing such a large increase abruptly, the government should consider a more gradual approach to avoid these unintended consequences.

However, Lukwago points out that new teachers will likely be recruited to replace those retiring, given the high number of individuals eager to enter the profession. However, he noted that the Ministry of Education and Sports has not yet provided the Commission with the necessary data to facilitate the replacement of retiring teachers.

URN had been unable to obtain a response from various officials at the Ministry of Education regarding how they are addressing the concerns raised by education officers in different local governments.

According to public service standing orders, for a teacher to qualify for early retirement, he or she must be 45 years old and have taught for at least ten years, or served for a continuous pensionable or redeemable period of at 20 years.

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URN