Teachers' 15% pay rise bid rests on budget announcement

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro says the Fiji Teachers Union's (FTU) call for a 15 per cent salary increase is included in his ministry's budget submission, with a decision expected when the 2026-2027 National Budget is delivered tomorrow.

Mr Radrodro made the comment tday on the sidelines of a mini awards ceremony at Christian Mission Fellowship College in Nasinu, but declined to indicate whether the increase would be approved.

"That's all part and parcel of our budget submission," he said.

"We will await the budget announcement in terms of not only the education sector request, but all sectors."

The FTU has continued to press for the increase, with general secretary Muniappa Goundar saying the fuel crisis should not be used as a reason to deny teachers and other civil servants a meaningful pay adjustment.

"Teachers, nurses, police officers and thousands of other public servants have carried the nation through difficult times," Mr Goundar said.

Mr Radrodro said the ministry was hopeful of a positive outcome.

"We hope to continue providing quality education and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 4 and National Development Plan objectives as we move into another year," he said.

Teachers last received a pay increase through the 2017 civil service job evaluation exercise.