The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) had submitted a promotion matrix to the Ministry of Education (MOE) last week to replace the open merit recruitment system.

General secretary Muniappa Goundar said the FTU had consistently and persistently submitted to the MOE to consider proven performance on the job with relevant experience and qualification for heads of schools positions.

“Sadly, the former education ministers failed to take cognizance of this and as a result, some of the top performing head of schools missed out and are facing challenges, and for some depressing predicaments,” Mr Goundar said.

“The FTU believes that it is not only these heads of schools who have been hard done, the children as well because they are deprived of experienced school leaders.”

He said as a result, FTU on the request of the MOE and with consultation with teachers of primary and secondary schools formulated a matrix which was far better than the open merit recruitment system.

“As general secretary elect, on behalf of the FTU, I presented this MOE last week and has been taken onboard,” he said.

“The MOE has been inviting us for consultation and negotiations and we look forward to this partnership with them.”

He said the most essential partner in their dealings as a union was the MOE.

“As such we expect a much cooperative approach, particularly from ministers who were once teachers themselves. In this regard, we are in no mood to enter into any kind of heated exchanges, but if it comes to unfair criticism of teachers, our prime duty as a union was to stand up for them and we will not shy away from our responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, Mr Goundar was elected during the FTU annual general meeting in Labasa on May 18.

Story by: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj