Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has admitted that questionable appointments and possible abuse of the system have contributed to persistent delays in paying teachers’ salaries and acting allowances.
Speaking during the debate on the 2026–2027 National Budget in Parliament on Tuesday, Radrodro said the Ministry of Education has struggled with administrative and financial processing issues, leaving some teachers without pay despite already being in classrooms.
He said the problems extend beyond delays in human resources and finance processing.
“This is an area which we have struggled with due to questionable appointments and possible abuse of the system and will continue to be an issue if not addressed and the right people put in to curb the leakages and the mismanagement that happens from the headquarters end.”
The Minister said the Ministry was now taking steps to address the long-standing issues affecting teachers and school staff.
According to Radrodro, officials from the Ministry of Education have been tasked with working alongside the Ministry of Civil Service and the Ministry of Finance to resolve the anomalies and discrepancies that have plagued the education sector in recent years.
“I want to put on record that our Ministry of Education team has now been tasked to work with the Ministry of Civil Service and the Ministry of Finance to formalise these anomalies and discrepancies that have hounded our education sector over the recent years.”
Radrodro said the Coalition Government remained committed to strengthening the teaching profession and improving the delivery of education across Fiji.
“The Government will continue working with school leaders, teachers and their respective organisations to strengthen the teaching profession and improve educational outcomes for all students.”
His comments came as Parliament debated the 2026–2027 National Budget, with concerns raised over delays in salary payments and acting allowances for teachers.
