Teachers in Fiji are celebrating some special news this Christmas Eve, as many will see an increase in their salaries due to recent upgrades in their qualifications. This development is largely attributed to the dedicated efforts of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) and the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), which advocated fiercely during negotiations to have these increments reinstated.
Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of FTA, noted that for years, the union had been calling for proper remuneration for teachers who have advanced their qualifications following a policy initiated by the previous FijiFirst government. Unfortunately, this crucial policy was abruptly terminated in 2019. However, through the collective efforts of both teacher unions and discussions with the current Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, progress has been made.
In a meeting held earlier in December, Minister Radrodro committed to ensuring that teachers who have enhanced their qualifications would receive 50 percent of their salary increment this week, with the remainder set to be disbursed in January 2025. A total of 395 teachers are set to benefit from this decision.
The unions continue to advocate for fair treatment for all teachers, particularly those who hold only a certificate or diploma but have extensive teaching experience, often surpassing two decades. These educators possess substantial knowledge and practical experience, yet they remain on lower salary scales compared to recent degree graduates with minimal teaching experience. The Ministry of Education has pledged to review this situation in 2025, and the FTA expressed gratitude to Minister Radrodro for his willingness to listen and address their concerns.
Importantly, despite challenges in receiving full consideration for budgetary submissions from the Finance Minister, Radrodro managed to reallocate funding to address these salary discrepancies. Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the FTU, has also expressed optimism that teachers who have returned to Fiji from overseas will be re-employed.
As an announcement regarding the salary upgrades is expected soon from Mr. Radrodro, there is a growing sense of hope among educators in Fiji for a more equitable and supportive teaching environment.
In summary, this positive development not only recognizes the hard work and dedication of teachers who seek to improve their qualifications but also highlights the vital role that teacher unions play in advocating for fair treatment of all educators in the system. There’s a tangible hope for an ongoing dialogue that can further benefit teachers and students alike.
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