LAMWO – Classes at Gem Mede Primary School in Palabek Gem Sub-county, Lamwo District, came to a standstill for the better part of Monday after a guard locked the facility, protesting non-payment.
The guard identified as Simon Ocaya claimed that he had not received his salary for the last two months and his pleas to the school authorities for the payment were never answered.
The head teacher, Mr Richard Otim, said his salary and those of other non-teaching staff delayed due to the delayed release of UPE funds.
Mr Otim, however, said the watchman wasn’t the only one who had not been paid arrears amounting to Shs1.5m.
He noted that the money meant to pay the watchman and other teachers were instead diverted for the recently concluded Music Dance and Drama competition because UPE fund for second term was not released from the Education Ministry.
Lamwo District Education Officer Barnabus Langoya has since directed the school head teacher to find money and pay the staffs arrears.
