Teachers

Confrontation between teachers, guards

Over 200 teachers and concerned family members turned up to enquire after outstanding payments and other issues but instead, an altercation ensued.

Kevin Nero was involved in this morning’s scuffle near the National Library.

Three different issues had prompted his visit to Fincorp Haus. His younger brother has been teaching without any form of payment for four years now, whilst his sister, who is teaching in a remote primary school located between Wewak and Aitape, is yet to have her primary account sorted out.

Nero’s daughter is also having the same issue.

64 teachers graduate in early childhood teaching

Coming from schools as close as Nine-Mile settlement in the Nation’s Capital to as remote as Urulau Village in the Gulf Province and Aroma in Central, the teachers proudly spoke of the knowledge and skills received from the training program.

“I’m very thankful for this teacher training program as it has given me and my teachers renewed hope for our children, enabling us to give quality education to these children,” said Mrs. Maira Dibura from Taurama Children of Light CLC.

Too many loans from teachers affect pay, says Kuman

He made this remarks today in Parliament, while answering questions raised by Governor for Simbu, Michael Dua.

Mr Dua put the question regarding teachers’ pay cut, to the Minister responsible.

He asked the Minister for Education, Nick Kuman to simply explain why many teachers were faced with hefty pay cuts only recently.

“Many of our teachers have been experiencing pay-cuts and could not provide for their families.

“Teachers are the backbone of our nation and must be given prominence rather than cutting their pay.”

Alleged teachers’ pay cut to be investigated

The Teaching Service Commission and Education Department denied these allegations saying the decrease in their pay packets is not pay cut, rather it is their normal net pay following the cessation of the outstanding 3 percent pay increment dating back to 2017.

Chairman of Teaching Service Commission Baran Sori said the Government approved the 3 percent pay increment for teachers dating back to 2017.

He said teachers across the country were paid their outstanding dues which accumulated from 1st January 2017.

Teaching duo grateful for new classroom

Despite having no formal qualifications, the Pondos were inspired to become teachers to educate and change the lives of children in their village, which is about an hour from Kokoda Station in the Sohe District of Northern Province.

When an opportunity arose in 2012 to attend a teaching course at Mamba, run by the Kokoda Track Foundation, they both jumped at the chance and applied. After graduating, the couple returned to Gorari and established a classroom made of bush materials to teach elementary school children aged five to eight years old.

Teachers celebrate day

Thousands of teachers around country celebrated their day today and the PNG Education Institute was no exception.

Student teachers attending the PNG Education Institute together with their lecturers celebrated International Teachers Day under the banner: “The right to Quality Education means the Right to a Quality Teacher.”

The theme commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and serves as a reminder that the right to education cannot be realized without trained and qualified teachers.

Education Minister clarifies teachers' 'pay-cut' claims

He explained that it is a stop to the lump sum which was back-dated to January last year,  following the 3 percent pay rise, effective June 20, which was pay 13.

The country’s 65,000 teachers received a 3 percent pay rise, effective June 20 this year, which was Pay number 13.

Minister Kuman reiterated that the teachers had been paid lump sum backdated to January 1, 2017, however, last fortnight, September 26, some teachers had their pay cut, up to K200.

He further explained that this was not a pay cut but the lump sum, coming to an end.

Teachers’ pay rise queried in Parliament

The teachers’ plight was raised by Madang MP Bryan Kramer in parliament last week.

The teaching sector is one of the largest in the country.

In 2016 the government promised the 57,000 teachers in the country a 3 percent pay increment in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

2 years have passed and the issue remains stagnant.

Kramer, directing his question to Education Minister Nick Kuman and Minister for Treasury, Charles Abel, demanded definite answers if these increments were budgeted for and confirm when the increments will be paid.

10,000 teachers’ off-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.

PNGTA concerned

They highlighted these fears in relation to when the Teachers Pay verification starts in March or April following cross checking with the Teachers Resumption of Duty Forms.

PNGTA National General Secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana, raised this concern as Provincial Education Advisors meet at the March Girls Resort this week for a Workshop.

Among the agendas are issues surrounding the “Teachers Resumption Duty Forms”.