The National Department of Education (NDOE) has thanked all teachers who turned up to work for the start of term two on Monday and ignored a call by their trade union for a nationwide strike.
Minister Jimmy Uguro, in a statement, thanked the teachers who complied with the department’s directive to be in class when schools reopened yesterday.
The PNG Teacher Association (PNGTA) had called for a nationwide strike from yesterday, in protest over the teachers’ outstanding welfare demands with the Government, in particular their health safety against the surge in the Covid-19.
Uguro said he would prioritize teachers’ welfare.
As a teacher by profession, I am fully aware of their welfare, needs and work conditions and I will do anything necessary to ensure that these are catered for.
The Covid-19 is a worldwide pandemic and not an Education Department’s issue.
Similar to last year, the Ministry of Education, with our development partners and stakeholders, have supported our schools with personal protective equipment and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
We will continue to do that.
Uguro said any further suspension of classes due to a teachers’ strike would penalize children.
The Covid-19 protocols and measures must be a shared responsibility.
Everyone must take extra care and be responsible for their safety.
In the event the Government or a responsible authority does not provide adequate protection units or care on time, we must not sit and wait.
We should be proactive and be responsible for our needs.
Classes resumed yesterday after an extended four-week term one holidays, observing strict Covid-19 protocols.
Teachers were advised to cover all scheduled programs and activities, organize extra classroom hours to catch up on the missed lessons and give more homework.
Meanwhile, PNGTA Enga branch president Mark Sakol said the president’s call for a strike was illegal.