Minister for Education, Nick Kuman, has confirmed in Parliament recently that more than 10,000 teachers across the country are off the payroll.
Minister Kuman explained that this problem arose because the teachers were late to submit their resumption forms before the school commences.
Minister Kuman said the Provincial Education offices were to be blamed for such problems for not submitting the teachers resumption forms to the National Department of Education in Port Moresby.
He said this is a chronic problem but urged the teachers to also do their part by submitting their resumption forms early.
“Teachers tend to fill in their resumption forms late which is affecting the payroll system.
“The onus is on them as soon as they commence their duties, they must fill and send their resumption forms quickly to the headquarters for procession.”
Nuku MP, Joe Sungi, raised this issue after finding out that more than 400 teachers in his district were yet to get their pay.
“Some of the teachers have raised their concerns that although they have submitted their resumption forms, they are yet to be paid.”
Kuman further reiterated and calls for the provincial education officers to seriously do their task to avoid such issues going forward.
“The provincial education officers must fast track such issues and alert the education headquarters so to avoid such incidences.”