By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The PNG Teachers Association has claimed that provincial education divisions using travel agents to issue teachers leave fares is illegal.
General Secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana, has condemned these actions by officers and said the practice must stop.
Mowana was responding to questions raised by EMTV News, as to whether it is lawful for travel agents to issue tickets as part of teachers leave entitlements.
EMTV News understands that by law, travel agents must not issue tickets.
“Under Teaching Service Act, teachers leave fares are to be issued through an airline warrant. But recently, education divisions are paying the money to the travel agents, who are not permitted under the law,” Mowana said.
There are some instances where travel agents issue tickets on special fares that make teachers travelling difficult. And this is not permitted in the airline warrant.
“Airline tickets should always be purchased on full fare. If that’s the case, then pay teachers in cash so they themselves can choose their destinationm because it’s their right,” he said.
Mowana added that the national government need to revise these laws to cater for all other travel means.
“The national government must find a way to ensure these laws are reviewed,” he said.
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