By GABRIEL KATUHO
Teachers in Northern Province are demanding the release of their outstanding 2024 leave fares and the current 2025 leave entitlements.
Their protest march in Popondetta yesterday reflects the growing frustration among hardworking teachers who continue to face delays in receiving this entitlement.
A source from Popondetta said almost all teachers in the province took part in the protest march, spearheaded by Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) chairman for Oro Mr Teru.
“K1.3 million was paid by the National Department of Education for teachers’ leave fares for 2024 to Oro Provincial Government and only few teachers were able to receive their payment while the rest were left out. The investigation team are investigating where the rest of the funds went,” Mr Teru said.
“Such recurring issues are not just administrative oversights, they are key factors contributing to the decline in the standard of education in our province. When teachers are not supported, their focus shifts from delivering quality learning to dealing with personal and financial stress. This directly affects classroom performance, student outcomes, and the overall morale of the teaching workforce,” he explained.
The teachers urged the Oro Provincial Government to prioritize education, starting with teachers welfare.
They said teachers were the backbone of the communities and the drivers of human resource development. Ensuring their entitlements were paid on time was not a privilege but an obligation.
“We call upon the Oro Provincial Government to act promptly, address these outstanding issues, and establish a consistent, transparent system that protects the rights of teachers. Supporting teachers is supporting the future of Oro Province. Only when they are respected and empowered can they give their best to the students who depend on them,” they appealed.