The President of the Southern Highlands Teachers Association in Papua New Guinea says more than 100 teachers are being paid in the province even though they are not working.
John Nono says he has heard that some teachers have their names on the payroll even though they spend most of their time in Port Moresby or Mt Hagen.
Mr Nono says the matter need to be investigated by the Education Department.
He says the issue is affecting the teaching standards of normally good teachers.
"It's making us becoming lazy, I am working and I see others roaming around the street collecting their pay which is not fair."
John Nono says the province needs another 500 teachers to be teaching effectively.
He says if nothing is done, disillusioned pupils would add to the region's crime problems.
