Opposition MP Hem Chand has called on the Ministry of Education to take responsibility for delays in paying teachers, saying administrative problems should not result in educators going without salaries they have already earned.
Chand said teachers and their families should not have to bear the consequences of delays within the Ministry.
“How long must our teachers continue to wait for the salaries they have rightfully earned?” Chand asked.
“The Ministry of Education must stop hiding behind excuses and take responsibility for the unacceptable delays in paying teachers.”
His comments follow confirmation from the Ministry that salary arrears owed to 318 staff members would be paid under Pay 17 and Pay 18.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro had said common issues identified in processing arrears included the absence of Fiji Teachers Registration Authority registration certificates, missing bank details and delays in confirmation of officers commencing duties from Heads of Schools or District Education Officers.
Chand rejected those issues as sufficient justification for prolonged salary delays.
“Excuses such as missing FTRA registration certificates or bank details cannot justify teachers being left without their salaries for months,” he said.
“If there are administrative problems, the Ministry must fix them urgently rather than allowing teachers and their families to bear the consequences of bureaucratic failures.”
Chand said teachers were simply seeking payment for work they had already performed.
“Teachers are not asking for a favour. They are asking for what they have already earned,” he said.
He also questioned the Coalition Government’s commitment to supporting educators when some teachers were experiencing salary delays.
“The Coalition Government has repeatedly spoken about improving education and supporting our teachers. But what message are we sending when hardworking teachers cannot even receive their salaries on time?”
“Teachers’ welfare must be a priority — not an afterthought.”
Chand called on the Education Minister to ensure all outstanding salaries were settled without further delay.
“I call on the Minister for Education to stop the excuses, take responsibility and ensure that all outstanding teacher salaries are paid immediately,” he said.
He also called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to personally intervene and seek an urgent resolution.
“A government that values education must value the people who deliver it,” Chand said.
“Our teachers deserve dignity. Our teachers deserve respect. Our teachers deserve to be paid on time.”
Chand concluded his statement with a direct demand: “Enough of the excuses. Enough of the delays. Pay our teachers — now!”
