Teachers will be allowed time to cast votes during election, Kombra says

By YVONNE KAMBIBEL
TEACHERS will be allowed time to cast their votes during the general election this year, without causing too much disruptions to classes, an official says.
Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra said: “The Education Department (will) come up with a calendar that suits the election period to allow teachers and students who are eligible voters to cast their votes during the school holidays.
“(But) we cannot suspend classes for the whole election period.”
He also warned teachers and school managers not to be distracted by or be involved in the election process.
Kombra said teachers and students must be allowed time to cast their votes but warned that schools must not be used by politicians or political parties.
“School premises, teachers and students should not be used for election purposes,” he said. Teachers return to school on Jan 24 while classes start on Jan 31.
Kombra reminded teachers to fill their resumption of duty summary sheets to confirm they are back at work.
These will be checked and verified by education advisers and officials. There will be 41 weeks of teaching in 2022.
The first term starts on Jan 31 and ends on April 8. Term two starts on April 19 and ends on June 24.
Term three starts on July 11 and ends on Sept 23.
Term four starts on Oct 3 and ends on Dec 9.