By Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
Finance Minister, James Marape, has ordered the Education Department to address the long-challenged issue of outstanding and delayed teachers leave entitlements promptly.
Minister Marape said it continues to be a problem that is faced by teachers every year, that has yet to be addressed. He says, for this year, something must be done immediately.
The Education Department is one of the country’s biggest departments.
Every year, teachers throughout the country face the dilemma of delayed leave entitlements.
Finance Minister, James Marape clarified that when government accounts are closed for the year, the banks will not honour cheques written out to the Education Department.
It’s an on-going issue nationwide. Minister Marape, who once held the education portfolio, suggested the department start preparing leave entitlements as early as October.
However, in an interview last month, Education Secretary Dr Michael Tapo defended his department, shifting the blame to corrupt teachers who were allegedly double-dipping leave entitlements.
Meanwhile, the department has been directed to address this issue once and for all.
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