Relief on way for teachers

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The National, Monday February 10th, 2014

 A PARLIAMENTARY committee will investigate discrepancies in salaries and leave entitlements for teachers around the country.
The committee chaired by Wabag MP Robert Ganim has been advised by Speaker Theo Zurenuoc to look into the complaints by teachers on their leave fares, salaries and other issues on their welfare.
Ganim, a former senior education adviser, confirmed last Friday that Zurenuoc had given him the green light to conduct the nation-wide inquiry into the teachers’ issues.
Committee members include Goilala MP Daniel Mona, Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso, Sandaun Governor Amkat Mai and Jimi MP Mai Dop.  
In a letter dated January 21, to him, Zurenuoc said: “The committees of parliament play an important role in keeping the executive government along with government departments and line agencies accountable for whatever policy decisions or legislations formulated.
“Parliamentary Committees have the powers to conduct inquiries into issues of public importance through their own initiative as provided under the Permanent Parliamentary Committee Act 1994.
“This is the way forward for the parliamentary referral committee on education to conduct an inquiry into the Department of Education.
“I believe this inquiry will influence other committee chairs. The parliamentary committee secretariat will provide necessary assistance and support in coordinating this inquiry. I assure you that Parliament will stand ready to support your committee.”
Some teachers in Madang are still fuming over the late notification of their postings after schools resumed classes last week.
PNG Teachers Association bran­ches in five highlands provinces had raised similar complaints.
Ganim said: “It’s chronic and has been on-going for far too long and needs to be investigated and something needs to be done about this. 
“Of the K15 billion in the 2014 national budget, the Government allocated K1.5 billion to the education sector. It teachers are unhappy, it signals bad management in the department which rightly calls for investigations.”