The pay rise of Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers will boost their professional and personal lives.

This was the comment made by Minister for Education Mahendra Reddy while launching the first ECE library in Fiji at Cautata District School in Tailevu yesterday.

He said previously ECE teachers were given 80 per cent salary by the Ministry while 20 per cent was paid by the management.

Mr Reddy said the Government was now taking ownership of 100 per cent payment.

He said the move followed the 2016-2017 Budget announcement made by Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum with an allocation of $2.6 million for the increase in salary grant of ECE teachers.

Mr Reddy said ECE teachers would receive a monthly grant effective from August 1st.

“This is the level of recognition the Government is giving to ECE teachers,” he said.

Fiji Sun yesterday published the new salary structure for ECE teachers.

Mr Reddy said those without any qualification that were teaching were now getting paid whereas those with degree holders were getting the same salary as teachers in primary and high schools.

Mr Reddy urged parents gathered at the school to support ECE education for their children’s future.

“We can put teachers in classroom, provide them with resource but parents need to support their children in their education,” he said.

“We need to monitor our children at home and support their interests so they can reach tertiary education or technical college and achieve their goals.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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