The Ministry of Education insists President Yoweri Museveni’s remarks that increasing teachers salaries will be subversive to national development should be appreciated.

The Spokesperson of the ministry Aggrey Kibenge says the ministry will continue negotiating with teachers about their grievances but they should also appreciate the challenges the government is currently facing.

He adds that the matter is now out of ministry’s control and President Museveni speaking about it makes their work easy since he has the final say.

Teachers under their umbrella organization, Uganda National Teachers Union petitioned the social services committee of Parliament and demanded a 100% pay- rise.

UNATU chairperson Margaret Rwabushaija says that they were surprised to get the President’s comment through the media.

Rwabushaija says since they have been communicating with government through their organization, which President Museveni should have used to get back to them. She insists a meaningful meeting should be set between them and the President.

There are about 152,682 teachers on the Government payroll in primary and secondary schools. Museveni said teachers are too many that even an increment of 100,000 shillings can heavily impact on the economy at a time when the shilling is limping against the US dollar.