WHP teachers: K1.3mil for travel fares insufficient

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 23rd December 2011

By GIBSON TORASO
UPNG journalism student

HUNDREDS of teachers from Momase, New Guinea Islands and the Southern regions claim that K1.3 million allocated by the Western Highlands provincial government is not enough to cater for their leave fare entitlements.
They said this because the number of teachers had increased and the amount allocated was not enough.
It was the same amount that was allocated last year.
Ray Wandaki, from Mun Primary School, in the Dei electorate, said 10% of their entitlements had been deducted by the Haren travel agent while Bank South Pacific allegedly deducted another 10% as handling fees.
He said that had resulted in a shortfall, leaving not enough money to cater for all the teachers in the province going on leave.
“With a budget shortfall, the 10% each deduction by the travel agent and the BSP must be paid by the provincial education board or the teaching services commission and not from our money,” he said.
He said the teachers would leave behind some of their family members because the travelling allowances were not enough to cater for all to travel together.
Sabina Kei, from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and who teaches at Engal Primary School, said it was a continuous problem over the years with the Teachers Association doing little to fight for teachers’ rights.
“We had the same problem last year, delaying our holiday periods and now it appears again.
What is PNG Teachers Association (PNGTA) doing to represent us teachers in such situations?” She asked.
She blamed the PNGTA for collecting their contributions but seemed to be doing little to fight for the rights of teachers.
The teachers said a restraining order had been sought to stop BSP from making payments to the travel agent before the matter was resolved.