Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has addressed concerns regarding salary payment delays affecting new teachers, acknowledging that many educators have not received their salaries for approximately eight weeks. He clarified that the process for releasing these payments involves several critical steps, including teacher induction, qualification verification, and payroll integration, which can lead to delays despite their importance for accuracy.
Radrodro reassured teachers that the Ministry of Education is actively working to resolve all pending salary issues. He emphasized that the ministry is committed to ensuring that educators receive fair and timely compensation, including for those who have upgraded their qualifications. In December of last year, the ministry facilitated payments for qualification upgrades for 295 eligible teachers.
The Minister pointed out that the late payments for contributions to the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) are linked to a transition to a new payroll system, an issue he noted as a legacy problem inherited from previous administrations. Radrodro assured teachers that efforts are underway to rectify these challenges and expedite the FNPF payments.
Reflecting on previous reports, many educators expressed frustration over the promise of salary upgrades tied to furthering their qualifications, with delays affecting hundreds of teachers still classified under lower salary bands despite fulfilling educational advancements. Muniappa Goundar, General Secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), has called for priority consideration of these overdue payments within budget allocations.
Radrodro’s statements come as a hopeful sign that the Ministry is acknowledging the financial difficulties teachers face and is committed to fostering a more supportive educational system. By addressing these payment issues effectively, the government aims to restore confidence among teachers and enhance the overall quality of education in Fiji, ultimately benefitting students and the community at large.
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