Teachers in the Momase Region are calling on the government, to abolish the PNG Teachers Association.
The teachers have accused the union of doing so little in fighting for their welfare, and deducting thousands from their fortnightly salaries, to maintain themselves in Office. This was the main concern presented to the Parliamentary Referral Committee Education in Lae, and Madang.
The meetings were held at the Balob Teachers College in Lae, and Tusbab Secondary School in Madang. The investigation committee heard similar complaints from teachers from the Momase Region.
They demanded better remuneration packages, for that will also benefit their children and spouses.
They also raised concerns that the free education policy had added more problems to school administrations and teachers, in terms of workload for teachers, lack of classroom space, and school materials for each student amongst others.
The main concern was the abolishment of the PNG Teachers Association.
The teachers accused the union of not doing its job, and fighting for better remuneration packages, and other benefits.
The union’s office is maintained by fortnightly deductions from each teacher’s salary. The committee told the teachers that, national government has allocated K1.5 billion in the education sector this year.
They said it is important that teachers air their concerns so that all of those in the education sector, including teachers’ welfare, are catered for.The investigation team has the New Guinea Islands, and Southern region, to cover now.
Teachers in the NGI Region, will meet the committee in Kokopo, on the 27th of March, and those in the Southern Region, will meet in Port Moresby on the 31st of March.
Committee members present were Chairman of the Parliamentary Referral Committee on Education, and Wabag Open MP, Robert Sandan Ganim, and Eastern Highlands Governor, Julie Soso.
Mr. Ganim committed K10 thousand to the college, and another K10 thousand to students from his electorate, while Governor Soso, presented K1 thousand to students who hailed from her province.
The committee was commissioned by the Speaker of Parliament, Theo Zurenuoc in January.
A detailed report on the teachers’ issues will be furnished after this tour, and will be presented to Parliament in the May sitting.
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