Marape vows to fight on

By DULCIE OREKE
TEACHERS have been reminded to remain dedicated to their profession .
Education Minister James Marape made the call this week assuring teachers he would fight for better working conditions.
He said as long as teachers were committed to their work, he would fight for better pay and other entitlements.
Marape said the agreement signed last month between the Teaching Services Commission, Papua New Guinea Teachers Association and the Department of Personnel Management “is for all categories of teachers from elementary to technical and teachers colleges”.
He said the agreement provided for the introduction of a teaching service allowance which would be applied across the board for all teachers in recognition of the in­creased workload from increased class sizes to general hardship experienced in all schools.
Marape said the teaching ser­vice allowance for an elementary school teacher was equal to 8% of the annual base salary which  was  as follows:
.    From Jan 1, this year, minimum rate K55 per fortnight;
.    From next Jan 1, minimum rate K70 per fortnight; and
.  From Jan 1, 2013, minimum rate K90 per fortnight.
For primary teachers payable on a fortnightly basis is as follows;
.    From last Jan 1, minimum rate K57 per fortnight;
.    From next Jan 1, minimum rate K100 per fortnight; and
.    From Jan 1, 2013, minimum rate K125 per fortnight.