Kindergarten teachers await pay rise

Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers who completed their degrees in 2023 are still waiting for salary upgrades, Parliament heard today.

Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar raised concerns about the delayed payments, claiming teachers worldwide are in short supply and some countries are offering permanent residency to attract them.

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro acknowledged the issue, explaining that teachers who graduated in 2023, but submitted their qualification records late in 2024 and 2025, fell outside the payment period.

“Because they fall outside of the payment period, they will have to be accommodated when the new financial year starts,” Mr Radrodro said.

He said Fiji has 1423 ECE teachers serving in 875 centres, teaching about 18,300 students.

Teachers are paid according to qualification bands - those with certificates fall under Band D, diploma holders under Band E, and degree holders under Band F. Current payroll records show two teachers on Band F Step 1, 104 teachers on Band F Step 3, 658 teachers on Band E, and 659 teachers on Band D.

Mr Radrodro highlighted the journey of ECE teachers, noting that in 2012 they were paid as little as $300 per term, equivalent to $21.42 per week.

“Despite this, they continue to serve with passion, commitment and resilience,” he said.

Mr Radrodro praised the revised remuneration package for pre-primary teachers effective from May 17, calling it a significant improvement.

Since 2023, the ministry has recruited an additional 170 ECE teachers nationwide as part of ongoing reforms to professionalise the sector.

Ms Kumar requested the minister to consider individual cases of affected teachers, to which Mr Radrodro agreed after she declared any potential interest in the matter.

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