Madang teachers to be paid this week

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

 

TEACHERS in Madang, unhappy over non-payment of their leave entitlements, have been assured they will be paid this week, The National reports.

Education division advisor Moses Sariki last Friday advised more than 200 teachers to check their bank accounts by Wednesday to confirm that their leave entitlements were deposited.

“Everything is under control. We will be paying an outstanding of K667, 676 to 293 teachers beginning Wednesday,” said Sariki.

He said that the payout would be made by the Madang administration who had agreed to use the province’s roll over funds from last year to resolve this issue while waiting for the national finance, treasury and planning office to process the entitlements.

“Our request for the additional amount we needed is still pending with the finance and treasury department.

“Madang provincial administration has been very supportive with stepping in to assist us using left over internal funds from last year’s budget,” Sariki said.

The update was welcomed by teachers even though it was late.

Teachers last week had threatened to boycott resuming duties on Jan 24 if their leave entitlements were not guaranteed by last Friday.

In an informal gathering the teachers listed their demands including an investigation into why the processing of leave fares has been very slow.

A copy of their demands was presented to Teaching Services Commission Momase regional advisor Joseph Ouyoumb who assured the teachers he would take the matter with appropriate authorities.

 Ouyoumb had, however, warned against the teachers boycotting duties, stating that the teachers would be penalised under the teachers services Act if such action was taken.