Pay rise set for teachers

 TEACHERS in East New Britain can expect an increase in their pay in the next two weeks, the Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) said.

PNGTA official at the New Guinea Islands regional office in Kokopo, Naomi Bola said the association and Education Department were finalising the new pay structure for teachers in the country.

She said the departments of personnel management and labour and industrial relations would look at the revised packages.

“Most teachers are keen to know when they are getting their next salary increment,” she said.

She said the new salary agreement for the next three years was to be signed by the parties with information to be confirmed and dispatched soon.

Bola emphasised that the PNGTA did not only negotiate for its members but for non-members as well.

Bola reminded teachers that they were responsible for moulding citizens in the classroom from early childhood to tertiary education.

“In the communities, teachers influence values and develop skills since they are regarded as opinion leaders and held with high respect,” she said.

“Teachers are supposed to model what they teach, not just what is taught in the classroom but your approach and attitude in the community.”

She said teachers must uphold what was right, just and honest, and speak against what was wrong.