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The Education Ministry says suspended Nasinu Secondary School principal Tevita Koroi is obliged to adhere to the Public Service Code of Conduct as an employee of the State.
The statement from interim Education Minister Filipe Bole comes as Koroi, who was suspended last week, revealed he would seek legal advice on the issue.
Bole says the code of conduct states that “an employee when acting in the course of employment in the public service must comply with all applicable Acts and subordinate legislations”.
“The Public Service Act [4-(1) (7)] stipulates that the ‘public service is apolitical’ and the ministry has on a number of occasions requested Mr Koroi, to adhere to this regulation,” he said.
“His position as President of the FTA was only made possible because of his position as a civil servant teacher.
“He has been advised that in his position, as the President of the FTA, he is expected to speak on matters relating to the service and the conditions of teachers.
“Political statements are strictly beyond the boundaries of his status as a civil servant, and the FTA has been advised to use its own employees as political spokespersons.”
Bole said civil servants were answerable to the Public Service and it mades sense that they uphold the Code of Conduct that guided their employment.
Koroi was suspended for reportedly making comments against the interim Government.
