There is a possibility the academic year will not start on time for teachers and students in Northern Province.
Over 300 teachers have threatened to boycott the 2019 academic year over their 2018 leave entitlements.
The frustrated teachers say they have faced leave fare entitlement issues every year, and are now making a stand.
A spokesman from the group told this newsroom up to 2,500 students in the province may be affected from over 900 schools.
The spokesman said only 100 teachers have received their leave entitlements while over 300 are yet to get theirs.
The primary, secondary and technical school teachers have agreed to boycott the 2019 academic year until their leave fare entitlements are paid in full.
They claim K1.5 million allocated for teachers’ leave fares were misappropriated by the Oro Provincial Government Education Division.
These are funds allocated by the Oro Provincial Government.
Attempts to get comments from the Oro Education Division of the Provincial Government were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile the Education Department in Waigani advised this newsroom that leave fares for teachers in provinces is a responsibility of the province and not the Department.