Teachers To Sit Work TEST
Selection process part of reforms, says Ministry of Education
New teachers will have to sit a test as part of the selection process, says the Ministry of Education. The Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education, Timoci Bure, yesterday confirmed this adding that this was part of the reforms within the ministry.
As part of the selection process for the classroom teacher positions previously advertised, Mr Bure said the applicants were required to sit a compulsory written work test.
The test, according to an advertisement published yesterday in the Fiji Sun (Page 20), December 30, 2017 consists of two parts – Part 1 is an English Proficiency Test and Part 2 is a specific work test. The compulsory written work test starts on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 9am and all applicants must ensure they be present at the test venues by 8am.
Mr Bure said the applicants were required to pass the test.
“When they pass they will sign their contract,” he said.
The Fiji Sun has been reliably informed that the contract will be for five years.
These new teachers, if successful, should be ready to commence in their role on January 10. First offers round of employment will start from January 8, 2018.
All offers of employment will be made based on the order of merit established
Twenty-two people from Air Terminal Services (ATS) who went on strike 15 days ago have returned work, a press statement by ATS has stated. These workers have now claimed that there are many others like them who want to return to work, the statement further said. Many also stated that while they are willing to accept a warning letter for their actions they are wary of victimisation from those who continue to strike and from those who influenced them to strike. The statement further said: “The company is aware that many involved in the strike were unduly influenced by their union leaders not to attend work. ATS has modified the Return to Work letters that were initially published to clarify workers concerns over the disciplinary action that would be taken against them. The letters now clearly states that they will not be terminated, but will get a warning letter. “Striking workers have been advised through media releases, paid advertisements and through social media of the facts surrounding the illegality of the strike.
“On Friday, there was an overwhelming response to the vacancies ATS advertised. The calibre of applicants was impressive and ATS is confident that should the striking workers continue to choose not to return to work that services can be maintained.
“The response to the walk-in interviews not only indicates that number of people looking for employment it also emphasises that ATS is an employer of choice with excellent working conditions. “The Company continues to urge workers to take advantage of the ATS Board Chairman’s offer and to return to work and call the Company if they wish to seek further clarification. Meanwhile, Catholic Archbishop Peter Loy Chong on Friday led a delegation of the Church, and visited the striking ATSworkers in Nadi.
Addressing them on Friday the Archbishop said: “We want to listen to your concerns, listen to your struggle and be your hope, after listening to you and the message to be released based on the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic social teaching.”
The Fiji Council of Churches, led by the president of the Methodist Church in Fiji, Reverend Tevita Banivanua, is to lead a delegation on Tuesday.
“I called him (Rev Bainivalu) that we need to show support as we have a role in the society, work is a basic necessity for life to bring to fulfilment our talents and potentiality and we need to support that,” Archbishop Chong said.