Stop receiving bribes to sort out teachers’ issues: Uguro

THE practice of receiving bribes to sort out issues regarding teachers’ salaries is illegal and must stop immediately, says Education Minister Jimmy Uguro
Uguro was responding to a notice to teachers, finance companies and the public about the number of complaints from teachers of officers requesting inducements and service fees to deal with their salary issues.
A teacher yesterday also claimed that Education Department officials in Port Moresby had demanded money (between K300 and K1,000) from teachers who came from other provinces to sort out issues about their salaries, allowances and entitlements.
Uguro said it was “unacceptable behaviour”.
“Leave fares or salaries are part of a teacher’s professional career and all requirements must be met on time,” he said.
“Giving and accepting bribes can destroy a career.
“Doing the right thing promotes your destiny.
“So please, do the right thing at the right place at the right time.”
Uguro said teachers and public servants involved in illegal practices must be reported to the Teaching Service Commission and the Education secretary immediately for disciplinary measures.
According to the notice, public servants were being paid fortnightly to serve teachers and clients.
The notice said paying service fees and charges amounted to bribery and were corrupt in nature.
The notice also said any finance company involved in paying inducements to any officer would be terminated and referred to the police fraud squad.