Teachers: Who’s our boss?

 TEACHERS in Eastern Highlands are confused over who the legitimate provincial education director is and who has the authority to sign their duty resumption forms.

A tussle between education officers Thomas Jonduo and Robert Kokao for the position remains when teachers were directed to resume duties after a posting list was endorsed by the Teaching Services Commission (TSC) last week.

“Teachers can resume duties and fill out their duty resumption forms but who will be the legitimate education director to sign these forms so teachers’ salaries can be processed?” teachers’ spokesman Heriso Gahekave asked.

Speaking on behalf of over 2500 teachers, Gakehave called on provincial administrator Solomon Tato and Governor Julie Soso to clarify who was the director.

A senior officer in the education division, who declined to be named, said teachers were not likely to be paid on time given the confusion.

Jonduo claimed he was reinstated by the court and the then acting provincial administrator Bill Kavanamur appointed him to the position.

He claimed the Public Services Commission (PSC) had nullified Kokao’s appointment on Oct 30, 2014 and he did not hold a substantive position to remain in office.