THE Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) has opposed what it calls the “unfair regularisation” of acting school leaders, and has instead placed its support for a transparent and merit-based recruitment process for principals, vice-principals, and headteachers.
The union is not happy that the Ministry of Education confirmed acting school leaders, without advertising the positions, via a circular dated late January, 2024, and by March, 2024, about 1420 acting officers had been regularised.
FTA general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga said this directive was introduced during the tenure of former permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca and Minister for Education Viliame Gavoka.
“A key issue raised was the regularisation of acting school leaders, principals, vice-principals, and headteachers,” he said.
“We, the unions, protested the regularisation process, believing it was unfair to confirm acting leaders without a transparent selection process.
“Other qualified candidates were being overlooked, including those who were previously removed from leadership roles.”
He said during the FijiFirst government, school leadership roles were filled only in an acting capacity.
The later decision to regularise these positions was seen as a shortcut to confirm those already acting in the roles without fair competition.
When the ministry went ahead with the process, the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) challenged it in court.
In an article in The Fiji Times dated July 1, 2024, the court ruled the regularisation invalid, saying it breached the 2013 Constitution’s provisions on equal rights.
Following the ruling, Mr Manumanunitoga said FTA and FTU met with the Ministry of Education to recommend a proper way forward.
This included advertising all leadership positions and assessing candidates against a selection matrix already agreed upon, which considers qualifications, leadership experience, and service in rural schools.
“Those previously confirmed have had their appointments revoked but continue to serve in an acting capacity while the ministry prepares to advertise the positions.”
He said the union now awaits a follow-up meeting with the permanent secretary and the Minister for Education to finalise the next steps.