Ministry Top 2 Admits Err of HR Unit

Minister for Education Viliame Gavoka and his permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca have acknowledged that there was a mistake in the teacher transfer notices sent out this week.

As the new school term began on Monday, teachers were confused and upset about an oversight committed by the ministry’s human resources unit (HR Unit).

Mr Gavoka indicated that a total of 20 secondary school teachers were appointed twice in the transfer cycle which shouldn’t have happened.

On Thursday, the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) and Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) raised their concern about how the ministry handled teacher transfers.

Some of the teachers were either appointed twice or went to school last Monday only to learn that their replacements were already in school without prior notice by the ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Education in Suva on January 23, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord

“The Ministry of Education confirms that though some transfers were from outside the transfer cycle, for example, for humanitarian reasons, an upgrade of qualifications, and some 100 secondary teachers who were teaching in primary school now being posted to secondary school, this may have resulted in some schools being overstaffed or understaffed; however, the transition has overall been fairly smooth,” Mr Gavoka said.

Ms Kuruleca openly admitted that some teachers were shifted to other schools without actual transfer letters.

“Some teachers have moved without actual transfer letters, nothing in black and white; this may have also affected the number of staff in schools,” Ms Kuruleca said.

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