23 Jan 2014

Vanuatu Teachers Union voices concerns over lack of consultation

4:29 pm on 23 January 2014

The Vanuatu Teachers Union says it hopes to meet the education minister next week to voice concerns over a lack of consultation regarding a deal allowing retired teachers from Fiji to teach in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Fiji that allows 15 retired teachers to teach in Vanuatu secondary schools this year.

The teachers are expected to arrive in early February.

The union's president, Arsene Siriam, says teachers in Vanuatu are unhappy with the lack of consultation over the matter.

"In the future the ministry needs to consult the Vanuatu Teachers Union before implementing any major activity or matter regarding the teaching profession."

Arsene Siriam says Vanuatu also has qualified retired teachers who should be offered teaching jobs ahead of teachers from Fiji.