MORE than 90 teachers are facing the start of the new school term without salaries, after their appointments expired – a situation the Fijian Teachers Association says should never have happened.
FTA general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga accused the Ministry of Education of failing to act despite knowing the teachers’ appointments were due to lapse, leaving them expected to continue working while their pay had been stopped.
He said the union only became aware of the issue after affected teachers sought financial assistance, with many now struggling to meet basic costs as schools prepare to resume next week.
“The teachers’ pay must never be stopped,” he said.
“They are doing work for this country, and this is how they are treated. That’s pathetic service.”
He said teachers had expected the Coalition Government’s move away from the previous contractual system to provide longer-term employment unless they were terminated or reached retirement.
“It’s funny that they still have contracts when it’s almost four years now that the new government that came in abolished the contractual system.”
Mr Manumanunitoga said the renewal delay was linked to the current permanent secretary no longer authorising electronic signatures and instead having to sign appointments manually.
