State warns teacher body over Aust jobs

July 24, 2009 12:21:09 PM

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The Fijian Teachers Association has come under the scrutiny of Fiji’s Ministry of Education for encouraging the recruitment of teachers in Australian schools.

The Ministry has expressed its concern to the FTA regarding the scheme that it is facilitating with SMART Teachers of Australia.

And it has warned of disciplinary action against the FTA.

“The Ministry does not mind the recruitment of retired teachers, but its concern is on the effect the scheme may have on education in Fiji, if serving teachers are involved,” a statement attributed to Education Minister Filipe Bole said.

“If FTA facilitates or encourages the recruitment of serving teachers, then it will be quite obvious that it has no regard whatsoever for the impact that this may have on the students in Fiji’s classrooms.

“Furthermore it will be a clear indication of working against the plans of Government.”
Bole said the FTA members are first and foremost civil servants and their salaries are paid by Government.

Serving teachers have been advised by the Ministry not to be “tempted by the scheme as government has invested a lot in their training”.

“They need to reciprocate by continuing to serve and teach the children of Fiji and prepare them towards a better and brighter future,” he said.

The FTA has been seeking increase in pay for its members in light of the rising cost of living.

The association’s executives had filed a claim with the Public Service Commission last year for an increase in Cost of Living Adjustment payments and salaries for the civil servants.

The teachers were also negotiating with PSC for a 7 percent COLA increment this year and looking at recovering the 4 percent that was cut by the interim Government last year as part of cost cutting measures.

The FTA had voiced its opposition to PSC’s plan to reduce the number of civil servants by 10 percent this year, saying it is going to overwork and overburden the worker “which will reduce efficiency levels”.

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