Regularisation process unfair – Manumanunitoga
BOTH teacher unions – the Fijian Teachers Association and the Fiji Teachers Union – are continuing to maintain their opposition to the regularisation process due to be implemented and completed by February 29.
FTA general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga said the process was unjust.
He said under the process, undeserving officers promoted under the Open Merit Based and Recruitment Selection (OMRS) were confirmed and those unfairly demoted through the OMRS, but were qualified and were performing, would remain demoted at their present positions.
Mr Manumanunitoga said up to last year the Education Ministry had implemented a transparent and fair process under which heads of school posts would be advertised in the media for both large and medium schools, prioritising relevant experience and qualifications.
“The FTA is committed to ensuring that this is the most transparent process, which must be followed, and that the FTA is prepared to go to any length to stop its implementation,” he said.
Mr Manumanunitoga said the regularisation would make the process inconsistent, unprofessional and unfair.
“No consultation whatsoever was made with the unions in its initial introduction stages.
“Workers’ unions are the only legitimate representatives of all workers in this country and we feel we have been left out completely and had this shoved down everyone’s throats.
“We have made it clear to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education that both teacher unions oppose this vehemently.”
Questions sent to the Permanent Secretary for Education Selina Kuruleca on Thursday remain unanswered.