Sudhir Ruparelia, the owner of Kampala Parents School, today nipped in the bud the strike by his teachers after agreeing to make some changes to their working conditions.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However a scruitny of the recommendations from the meeting Sudhir held with the parents, teachers and his management team reveals that the tycoon eventually triumphed.
For instance, while Sudhir agreed that a salary review would be conducted early next year for teachers and non-teaching staff, some people feared that pushing the review to next year could give the businessman ample time to sack some of the ring leaders in the strike. Some teachers had hoped that a decision on their salaries would be reached in this meeting.
Second, it was agreed that teachers involved in the strike should not be “suspended” for now but that “non-performing teachers” will not be tolerated anymore. The interpretation of “non-performance” leaves room for the owner to deal firmly with those he believes are big headed in future.
Third, Sudhir banned any private coaching by the teachers dealing a blow to those who were earning extra income from the practice. Those found engaging in the practice face severe punishment.
He also agreed that a teacher be given an opportunity to educate one child at KPS at a fee of Shs 700,000 per term, which on the surface is a steep discount from Shs 2 million other parents pay.
Yet in reality, the majority of his teachers who are said to earn Shs 600,000 per month would be hamstrung to educate their child in the prestigious school.
Today’s meeting came on the heels of an earlier one between parents and management which was not conclusive. It was resolved that classes resume tomorrow (November 27).
Here are the recommendations
- A PTA comprised of current parents shall be formed immediately
- A salary review shall be conducted and adjustments shall be made early January for both teachers and non-teaching staff.
- Both teachers and non teaching staff have been allowed to educate one of their children at a fee of Shs 700, 000
- An HR review/audit shall be carried out to inform HR MGT
- A welfare committee comprising 5 parents to be constituted immediately to look into the issue of welfare (meals)
- Salary deductions have been illegal. This has been stopped.
- Eating time of kids extended from 15 minutes to 20 minutes to allow every kid an appropriate eating time.
- Resolved that kids be given enough food.
- Resolved that no teacher or member of the non teaching staff should be suspended or removed from their positions because of the current circumstances
- All classes to begin at 7:30am
- All Saturday teaching arrangements by teachers suspended immediately
- Teachers to go back to class and resume classes tomorrow morning, the 27.11.2024
- In addition to annual leave, every worker shall be given an additional 14 days of sick leave
- Non performing teachers shall not be tolerated at the school anymore
- Teachers to cease the culture of charging parents any additional monies on top of their salaries
- 30 minutes of late coming by teachers without a clear reason and ably communicated should be the only considered late coming time to justify any penalties.
- KPS to put in place a culture of co- curricular activities.
- Agreed by all parties to put in place a conducive environment where all parties can communicate, be heard and feed back be provided in a mutually accepted manner
