More funds set for leave fares

By JINA AMBA
THE Eastern Highlands government has allocated more funding for teachers leave fares in the province, a provincial official says.
Acting provincial education director Wesley Albert said the officers from the province were finalising everything and payouts would be made soon.
He said teachers leave fares had increased in 2019 with an allocation of K1.3 million, but last year’s allocation was K1 million.
But, his office had ensured that the allocation for this year was K2.3 million.
Albert said the provincial education division had secured an additional K1 million to put the total allocation for teachers leave fares for this year at K3.3 million.
“It’s good news for teachers because the Government is very supportive of human resource development,” he said.
Albert said K1 million was allocated to local teachers who have never had teacher leave fares in their careers.
“The K1 million will be given to local teachers who teach in their local districts, married a local who are not eligible in the policy to access the leave fares,” he said.
“It’s an incentive from the provincial government, to give them as a token of appreciation for their service.”
Meanwhile, Albert said appointments for teachers in Eastern Highlands for next year will be out soon.
He said before the academic year closed, teachers would know which schools they would teach in next year. Albert said by the end of the week, all teachers’ appointment would be completed for all levels – primary, secondary and technical and vocational schools.
“They will be ready for provincial education board’s approval and then we will take it down (to Port Moresby) for the Teaching Service Commission endorsement.”