Teachers who have recently enhanced their qualifications are expressing their frustration over the delay in their salary upgrades from the Ministry of Education. Several educators reported that they have not yet received the promised pay increase associated with their updated qualifications.
One anonymous secondary school teacher from the Western Division, who has been teaching for more than two decades, funded her own degree and graduated in April. However, she is still receiving an annual salary of $22,000, despite being eligible for a raise to $28,000 following her graduation.
Another teacher, who obtained her degree last year, is also awaiting her salary adjustment. She pointed out that new graduates entering the profession are starting at $28,000, while they, with decades of teaching experience, have not seen an increase despite upgrading their qualifications.
Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), stated that they have been actively advocating for the rightful payment for salaries owed to around 200 teachers who have completed their studies but remain on Band D. He noted that despite previous assurances made ahead of the 2024/25 National Budget, the union discovered that no funds had been allocated for this essential expenditure in the current financial year.
Investigations revealed that the Ministry of Education’s finance team failed to submit the necessary request to the Ministry of Finance, resulting in a significant oversight that has placed many dedicated teachers in a difficult financial position despite their commitment to professional growth.
Additionally, the union reported that some teachers who resigned and then returned to the ministry are currently on a six-month probation period. During this time, they are unjustly placed on Band D instead of receiving their rightful placement on Band F after completing the probation.
The delays are creating hardships for these educators and their families, who depend on adequate pay to cover living expenses. The FTU is urging the ministry to allocate the necessary funds from the budget immediately to address these injustices. Teachers who have pursued further education, as well as those returning to serve the country, deserve timely and fair compensation for their expertise and dedication. The delay in payments not only affects their morale but also threatens the quality of education in schools.
The FTU is calling on the ministry to prioritize the welfare of teachers and their families by quickly securing the funds needed for these long-overdue payments. They emphasize that teachers deserve prompt and fair treatment in recognition of their critical contributions to education in Fiji.
As of the latest updates, no comments have been received from the ministry.