Ministry faces backlash
Eight teachers replaced without prior notice, claims FTA
EIGHT teachers in the North were replaced last Monday without prior notice from the Ministry of Education, claims Fiji Teachers Association general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga.
He said the teachers were still waiting to be posted to a school.
In an interview with this newspaper, Mr Manumanunitoga said he was disgusted with the actions of the ministry.
“Some of these teachers have built their families in places they have been serving for six years, so the least the ministry can do is give prior notice,” he said.
He said the affected teachers had Bachelor of Secondary Education qualification but taught at primary school level.
“The ministry is trying to make equal distribution of primary and secondary schools because of new graduates,” he said.
When approached last week permanent secretary for Education Selina Kuruleca said the ministry would release a statement last Friday but failed to do so.
The only comment she made was that some of the information being sent around was incorrect. It is not clear what information she was referring to.
Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube said it was apparent there were flaws within the transfer process of the Ministry of Education.
He said it should be presented to the Ministry of Education for investigation.
“These complaints made by the teachers should be backed with evidence,” he said.
The FTA also claimed 18 teachers were transferred without being notified by the ministry.
Mr Narube said the ministry needed to act on those two complaints immediately.
“I am surprised the ministry still gets this type of complaint and it’s emerging at this time, the first week of a new school year.”