Education Ministry Asked To Intervene In Tamaris Salary Row After Management Fires Teacher For Demanding 4-Month Salary
A former teacher at Tamaris International Christian School, previously known as King’s International School, is seeking over six million shillings in salary arrears and claims she was unfairly dismissed after years of dedicated service.
Grace Mbambu, who taught at the institution for six years since 2018, says she was relieved of her duties shortly after requesting payment of Shs 6,966,000 in unpaid wages.
She alleges that despite fulfilling her teaching responsibilities under difficult circumstances, including walking long distances, the school failed to honor its financial obligations.
Speaking to Nile Reports before appearing to local authorities, Grace shared that she had consistently received partial payments throughout her tenure and had been in constant communication with the school’s proprietor, Ms. Naomi Ruth Davidson, regarding outstanding balances.
According to WhatsApp correspondence seen by this publication, Ms. Naomi acknowledged the debt but indicated that the school, which she described as “bankrupt,” could not pay. She further stated that any payment would come from her personal funds, depending on when she secured another job.
“We unfortunately do not have a position for you at Tamaris,” one message read, referring to the school’s transition from King’s International to Tamaris under what the school described as “new management.”
Grace, however, contends that the change in name does not reflect any substantive structural shift and believes the same leadership is operating the school under a new brand to avoid fulfilling past obligations.
She further claims that during her six years at the school, only four NSSF contributions were made to her account, which raises concerns about compliance with statutory requirements.
“I dedicated myself to the children and the school,” Grace said. “I continued to work even when salaries were delayed, because I believed in what I was doing. But I have children to care for. I cannot continue to beg for what I earned.”
She has appealed to relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Education and Labour, to intervene and investigate the matter.
Efforts to get an official comment from the management of Tamaris International Christian School were still ongoing by press time.
This case highlights the wider issue of teacher welfare in Uganda’s private school sector, where educators in some institutions continue to face challenges related to contracts, salary delays, and lack of social security.