Union wants probe done quickly

By PHOEBE GWANGILO
THE Papua New Guinea Teachers’ Association is calling on the East Sepik government to speed up investigations into allegations facing an education division staff.
Governor Allan Bird had called for the investigation last month.
“In order to rebuild the confidence of the education in the province, we are calling on the provincial government to reveal the status of the investigation,” association general secretary Ugwailubu Mowana said.
Mowana said the East Sepik education division was once a good province, known to manage teachers’ issues and affairs well.
Bird, in agreeing with Mowana, said he too wanted to bring back the confidence since taking office as the governor but the delay in disciplinary actions against the staff was due to the delay in the appointment of the provincial administrator.
“The biggest hindrance to us taking action within the public service in East Sepik is that the National Executive Council refuses to endorse a permanent provincial administrator for the province,” he said.
“Many important decisions, particular those concerning disciplines of public servants, become difficult to implement when you have an acting appointment.”
Bird had called for an investigation and disciplinary action by the provincial administration against education division staff after being petitioned by teachers over appointments and leaver fare issues.