Teachers’ appointment becoming political, says secretary

By MARJORIE FINKEO
THE appointment of teachers has become political in many provinces, PNG Teachers’ Association general secretary Ugwalubu Mowana says.
He said many good teachers were replaced by teachers favoured by officials and politicians, whether they were experienced or not and qualified or not.
“Appointment is like a football, the teachers are just moving from one place to another with many changes of position done within the office,” he said.
“When a position is vacant, it is the PNGTA and the authority who should advertise the position out to some eligible teachers to see and apply, make appointment on merits.”
Mowana said this was common in Highlands and Mamose regions.
Inspection and registration is another issue.
Many teachers were not inspected despite their hard work.
Those inspected and eligible for promotion are denied through non-gazettal of positions.
“New teachers are victims of slow registrations, denying their salaries for many months – even takes years.”
Mowana said parents’ expectations would be high now for their children with quality education, learning infrastructures and trained teachers available.
“Previously, the schools had chaos.
“Because tuition free funds flooded children into the classrooms and there were no proper infrastructures and materials.
“All the funds were used for other purposes. Teachers suffered so much with high population without anything good coming from the funds,” he said.
“National Capital District schools had more than 150 students inside classrooms at primary and elementary levels.”
Mowana said shared responsibilities in 2020 would have to see some improvement in the education sector.