By Colleen Barilae – EM TV News, Lae
Morobe’s Acting Provincial Education Advisor, Barry Kalo, has clarified that funds for teachers’ entitlements have been paid to two travel agents in Lae. The two agents are Prime Travel Service and PNG Travel Service.
He said this following the current situation at Morobe’s education office, where more than 500 teachers in Morobe are still awaiting leave entitlements.
Over K4.5 million has been spent to cover travel costs on air, sea and by road.
For the past two days, teachers in Morobe have been queuing in front of the provincial education office, frustrated over the long process to get confirmation letters that will enable them to get their leave entitlements.
The long queues had been the result of entitlement payments not being paid directly to teachers’ accounts.
According to the provincial education division, leave entitlement policy directs provincial education offices to pay teachers’ leave fares to travel service providers, where teachers collect their travel tickets.
Morobe’s acting PEA, Barry Kalo, explained that PNG Travel Service would cover for the Highlands and Southern region areas, and Prime Travel Service to cover for the New Guinea Islands and Momase region.
Over 500 Morobe teachers were paid their travel costs to travel agents, after consultations made by the education division.
According to Kalo, provincial education offices were given verbal notice by Teachers’ Service Commission to pay teachers directly this year.
However, the 2015 payments had been made prior to the notice given.
It is now nearing the end of the year and more than 500 teachers in Morobe are yet to receive their travel entitlements from travel agents.
Related Article: Morobe Teachers Leave Entitlements Delayed
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