Milne Bay schools yet to resume classes

By GLENDA AWIKIAK
SCHOOLS in Milne Bay are yet to resume classes because education officials were still trying to sort out the mess created by moving them around, says provincial education adviser Roma Tuidam.
He said of more than 3000 teachers in the province, around 2900 had been moved from their positions but not allocated new postings.
“They had not found their names in any teaching position, thus the provincial education board had to sort this matter out this week. Normal classes should resume next week,” he said.
He said part of the problem was created by newly-married couples teaching in different schools but want to be in the same school this year.
“Others included those who were on sick leave and those on study leave but returning to teaching this year,” he said.
The education board is discussing the matter with the Teaching Service Commission and Education Department in Waigani.
“In the process of sorting our old teachers, we also considered new graduates and placed them into teaching positions in the 2019 academic year,” Tuidam said.
In another development, Tudam said they had found out when processing leave fare applications of teachers that some had been providing them wrong information.
Tuidam said they found out that some teachers who had been teaching for only a year were claiming for four dependents or more.
Some of dependents are not even staying with them in the province, he said.
“One teacher living alone in the province was claiming for his wife and children who were living in their home province,” he said.
“What you claim is ones who are with you and would be travelling with you if you are travelling to your home province for the holidays.”