King’s College Budo suspends workers’ contracts

Posted on 03/06/2020

King’s College Budo — citing a lack of funds, has suspended both academic and administrative staff until further notice.

The school was closed after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

According to the letter by King’s College Budo headteacher who is also the Secretary to the board, Mr. Patrick Bakka Male; contracts of all school staff members have been suspended indefinitely until the school resumes operations.

This is to inform you that the management has resolved to suspend your contract with the school with immediate effect, Mr. Bakka wrote.

He added:- “The suspension will be reviewed monthly up to a period of three month. We shall keep you informed of any further developments.”

He said that due to the unplanned closure of the school, the administration is finding it hard to pay salaries and to meet other financial obligations.

“In the meantime, you’re advised to stay safe and use the little that you have sparingly. Should the circumstances however change earlier than any of the fore-stated period, management will also communicate accordingly,” he added.

The Ministry of Education and Sports last week directed all education institutions to duly pay their staff.

Education News Uganda spoke to several teaching and administration staff from King’s College Budo who expressed shock that the suspensions have been effected before their employer know how long the lockdown will last.

“I was suspended and informed that I should report back when things come back to normal and face-to-face classes resume,” said one staff member from King’s College Budo who asked for anonymity.

“My family is going to suffer because I am the only breadwinner,” the teacher noted, adding that the decision by the school management was harsh.

“The school [management] said they don’t have money to pay us and the situation may get worse in the months to come,” said one of the teachers.

President Museveni ordered the closure of education institutions, churches, bars, among others; on March 20, 2020 as part of the measures to control the spread of the disease.

On Monday he announced that opening schools for finalists had been postponed for another one month as government continues to study the matter.

Uganda is planning to send 140,000 television sets to villages across the country so that out of school children can carry on studying through televised lessons.