Govt urged to appreciate teachers’ importance

THE government must appreciate the important role teachers play in society educating the next generation of professionals, leaders and citizens, says Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) acting general secretary Kingston Alu.
“Some places, you would hardly find any other government service there, with the only service available being provided by teachers,” he said.
Alu said teachers take up roles such as nurses and counsellors in the areas they teach in.
“So the government must be rational in its decision making and treat the teachers just like they have treated other public servants,” he said.
Alu said if the three per cent salary increase for teachers was not paid, they would take the matter to the court.
“It was agreed in the last National Management Committee meeting that by the end of this month if nothing happens, then we will take this matter to the industrial registrar and raise it as an industrial issue,” Alu said.
He also warned teachers, especially those non-members of PNGTA, not to create unnecessary confusion among teachers and tarnish the association’s reputation.
“You shouldn’t be playing tricks around with our PNGTA members, it’s only our members who should complain about three per cent increment,” he said.
“We understand that we only have 13,600 members out of the 70,000 teachers, and if you’re not a member, you shouldn’t be complaining about this three per cent salary increment.”