Chief Secretary to Government, Isaac Lupari, and the Personnel Management Secretary, John Kali, have been challenged to explain where the money will be sourced from to increase teachers’ salaries.
Sinesine Yongomugl MP, Kerenga Kua, posed the challenge following the announcement that teachers pay will increase in 2018.
Mr Kua said there is no reflection of the increase set out in the 2018 National Budget and wants the two secretaries to clearly state where the money will be sourced from.
According to the Budget Speech delivered by Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel in November last year, it is stated on page 19 that there will be a 3.2 percent reduction in wages for public servants.
It also stated that there will be a reduction in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 6 percent to 4.5 percent between 2018 and 2022.
Based on these statements, Mr Kua said the announcement to increase teachers’ pay by three percent by Secretary Lupari is not catered for in the National Budget.
Kua explains that if the government plans to increase teachers’ salaries, it will either remove money from another sector or pass a supplementary budget to accommodate the change.
Last Tuesday, Personal Management Secretary Kali, said it will increase salaries for teachers who resume duties for the 2018 academic year by 3 percent.
This is in line with an agreement made in 2016 by PNG Teachers Association and Teachers Service Commission.
In this agreement, 56,000 teachers in Papua New Guinea will see a three percent increase in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
However, in 2017 that was not the case, but Secretary Kali says the government has plans to back pay those eligible.
And with these comments made, Mr Kua says there is the need to clarify where the money will come from.
Meanwhile, classes for the 2018 academic year have commenced this week.
