Andrew Solomon Napuat

A total of VT28,907,576 for thirty-three (33) teachers’ claims was paid last Friday. Of these claims, 29 were processed through the payroll system, while four were paid through Local Purchase Orders (LPOs).

This was conveyed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, who is serving as Acting Minister of Education while the minister is on overseas duty.

Napuat said the Working Committee approved by the Council of Ministers (COM) is verifying claims against records, and payments will continue.

The Minister urged schools to operate fully as the government is settling teachers’ claims according to the payment plan approved by the COM.

“I ask all schools to be fully operational as the teachers’ claims are being handled by the government through the payment plan, and the first payments already made prove the government’s commitment to settle the claims,” he said.

“Teachers should know that we (the government) will settle the claims according to due process. That is why the Working Committee is working hard to ensure the claims are settled as per the COM decision.”

This marks the third appeal from a government minister urging teachers to return to work, following statements from the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

The COM has agreed for the government to settle teachers’ claims at VT4,252,821,101. Of this total, the government plans to address over VT800 million this year, with VT1 billion to be appropriated in next year’s budget and more in future budgets.

The Working Committee will verify the claims on a case-by-case basis for six months, ensuring timely completion of the verified claims and reporting progress to the ministers of finance and education.

Meanwhile, the Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU) has expressed disapproval with the payment amount. The VTU has made it clear that its members will return to the classroom once they receive the first payment in their accounts.

As they wait, the number of suspensions issued by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) continues to rise, exceeding 230 as of early last week. This figure is expected to have increased further.

source:Vanuatu daily post