Teachers in Fiji received encouraging news this Christmas Eve, as many are set to receive salary upgrades due to enhanced qualifications. The Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) general secretary, Paula Manumanunitoga, expressed gratitude towards teacher unions for their relentless negotiations that led to this outcome.

Manumanunitoga noted that the FTA has long advocated for fair remuneration for teachers who have improved their qualifications—a policy introduced by the previous FijiFirst government but abruptly terminated in 2019. Through collaborative efforts with both the FTA and the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), the issue was successfully raised with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro. As a result, it has been agreed that teachers who have advanced their qualifications will receive 50 percent of their salary increment this week, followed by the remainder in January 2025. A total of 395 teachers will benefit from this decision.

In addition to this achievement, the unions are currently engaging with the Ministry of Education to address the salary disparities faced by long-serving teachers who possess only certificates or diplomas. Many of these educators, despite more than 20 years of experience, earn less than newly graduated teachers with only a year or two in the classroom. Manumanunitoga highlighted the wealth of knowledge and expertise these seasoned teachers offer, advocating for a reassessment of their pay scales.

The ministry has pledged to review this issue in 2025, and the FTA expressed appreciation for Minister Radrodro’s willingness to listen and act on their concerns. Although budgetary considerations from the Ministry of Finance were not fully aligned with proposals, Radrodro managed to reallocate funds to address certain pay anomalies.

FTU general secretary Muniappa Goundar expressed satisfaction with the upcoming salary adjustments for teachers. The FTU is also in discussions with the ministry regarding the re-employment of teachers who have returned from overseas.

As the education sector gears up for positive changes, the expected announcement regarding salary upgrades from Minister Radrodro further instills hope for the future of teaching in Fiji.

In summary, this article highlights the positive momentum in addressing teacher remuneration in Fiji, emphasizing the importance of experienced educators and the collaborative efforts of teacher unions to advocate for their rights. The anticipated salary upgrades on the horizon mark a significant step forward in valuing the contributions of these professionals.