Teachers threaten to quit for lack of pay

Over 26 teachers most of them foreign nationals, at Kigali Alliance High School have threatened to put down their tools if their salaries dating back to six months are not paid. Some teachers who spoke to The New Times on condition of anonymity, said that they have taken 4 to 6 months without pay and that they usually have to hassle to get their salaries paid. “The situation here is alarming, the government should help solve it,” said one of the teachers. They revealed that some of their colleagues have quit and that this has affected their morale. “We have students who have paid school fees and expect services, but we can’t be effective if we are not being paid our salaries” one teacher said. Kigali Alliance is owned John Gasana, who until last year, was the school’s headmaster. Last year, Gasana is said to have handed over the reins of the school to one Edward Lubega to act as the school headmaster. When contacted for comment, Lubega referred The New Times to the owner, saying he is the best person to comment on the matter. Efforts to talk to Gasana were futile as he kept hanging up his telephone. When contacted again, Lubega said that the allegations were unfounded, but later said that the teachers’ salaries will be paid in a week’s time. However, he again changed his statement saying that the money had been deposited into the respective bank accounts and that there was no cause for alarm. The teachers, however, refuted claims that their money had been deposited in their bank accounts. When The New Times inquired from Kigali City vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Jean de ‘Arc Gakuba, she said that she was unaware of the problem. “Usually, we deal with government schools and this is a private problem. But if such a problem comes up, we shall intervene and take the children to other schools”. She said she would coordinate with the officials of Gasabo District to resolve the problem. Ends

National

Teachers threaten to quit for lack of pay