Transparency for teachers important A–G:
Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum drew applause from teachers in Sigatoka yesterday He made it clear that getting promotions, demotions and transfers through lack of transparency was not going to happen anymore.
Many of the teachers the Fiji Sun approached after the consultation expressed their agreement with the reforms. They said they were happy that Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had cleared the air over some of the major issues they were worried about.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the teachers were important because what they did was what Government was pushing for which meant providing the best education to the children in Fiji.
He said the ministry’s district education officials needed to liaise more with teachers so that the priority of students was paramount.
Mr Sayed-Khayum, while speaking to nearly 200 teachers from the Sigatoka and Navosa divisions said complaints had been received from teachers of how some got promoted, disciplined and who were the ones who got the transfer to another school.
“One of the major complaints we received from teachers about the ministry was the manner in which there was a lack of transparency on how people got promoted, demoted, disciplined and transferred,” Mr
Sayed-Khayum said.
“If you put on a good morning tea for your district education officer then you have a better chance of getting a transfer.
“There is a culture of that of being nice to the administrators.”
The objective of the civil service reforms was not only about increasing salaries but also allowances including overtime.
The teachers the Fiji Sun spoke to all expressed their satisfaction with the explanations given by Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and Jane Curran, the director for Civil Service Reform Management Unit. The teachers said they were happy with the five-year contracts that were being implemented and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said they would still be employed after signing the new contract when it expired.
Kalesi Qio, a teacher from Cuvu College addressed all teachers present saying that their priority were their students and that the reforms and salary increases under the reforms were good.
Pratap Chand, a teacher from Queen Victoria School whowas present there said the session was “very informative.” “Many of us were puzzled on this job evaluation and salary increases but all that is crystal clear now.” Ramesh Naidu, of Cuvu Collage said: “It was very good and the air has been cleared.”
Ravikash Singh, of Sigatoka Methodist Primary School said: “It has cleared up a lot of doubts I had.”
Saula Nadoko of Wai District School said he was happy with the explanation and the consultation has cleared the air for him.
Mary Ratudradra of St Peter Chanel Primary School said: “The salary increases have been clarified and I was also happy with the Attorney General taking his time out to explain to us about the National Budget – I really appreciated that.
“My doubts have been cleared and with the salary increases this should motivate us teachers to perform better for the future of our students.”
One of the major complaints we received from teachers about the ministry was the manner in which there was a lack of transparency on how people got promoted, demoted, disciplined and transferred. Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum Attorney-General and Minister for Economy