Western Equatoria State government on Monday this week announced a salary increment for all teachers in public schools in the state.
The announcement was made during the official reopening of schools, characterized by the ringing of the bell in Yambio town by the state governor Lt. Gen. Alfred Futuyo.
Schools were closed last year as part of partial lockdown measures to contain the spread of the global Covid-19 pandemic. However, the government recently lifted those measures saying the infection rates had significantly dropped in the past few months. Shools are however required to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 health protocols.
Governor Futuyo, speaking at the event, said his government would increase the salary of teachers to 10,000 SSP monthly, an equivalent of 22 USD.
Teachers in the state have been receiving a monthly salary of about 1,500 SSP, which would never come on time.
“I know that the school has opened today as I ring the bell but I have to increase the salary of the teachers to 10,000 SSP and the minister should fulfill this,” he said.
Futuyo further urged private schools in the state to reduce the school fees to less than 10,000 SSP per year, to accommodate all children.
The state education minister Grace Datiro appreciated the move and said when teachers are paid well, the education standards in the state will improve.
"If you are talking about education in Western Equatoria the teachers must be considered and paid well for them to manage their families. It means there will be good learning," she said. "There is a need for support for the dropout girls and we are going to arrange how they can be getting lessons in the evening time."
Alex Essa, speaking on behalf of the teachers also welcomed the move and said they will do their best to cover the syllabus in the remaining few months.
"We the teachers are ready to resume the work I would like to assure the government that we will fully cooperate with the government strategy for smooth learning in schools," Alex said. "However, we are appealing to the government in the state to plan more monitoring and technical support for teachers."
Meanwhile, the State Minister of Health Hon. James Adu Votoki advises students and school management to observe the Covid-19 preventive measures during the learning process.