Clerk in Solomons capital says teachers union has a grudge

Transcript

The Honiara City Clerk says a threat by Solomon Islands teachers to boycott the start of the school year on Monday is based on a grudge against a former chief education officer.

Charles Kelly met with members of SINTA on Wednesday afternoon to discuss disagreements with some teachers postings for 2014 and teachers' unhappiness with Don Houkura.

But Mr Kelly told Beverley Tse there has been a misunderstanding with Mr Houkura's employment and the issue was not raised in his meeting with SINTA.

CHARLES KELLY: Mr Houkura has retired in 2012. And he was contracted by the Ministry to extend his contract in 2014. We were made aware by mid-2013 that Don Houkura's contract would expire and a replacement will be sent to us. I said fine. I accepted a new chief executive officer. At the same time I plead to the ministry if I can keep Houkura for a year to do a transitional period because Honiara is the seat of the elite and most of the teachers are BAs and masters and diplomas etc. So we can do a smooth transition, again, mentoring the new CEO. I sent three letters to the ministry. They were never replied. Don told me that the contract was not considered and it's already expired. So I negotiated to the standing committee. Standing committee is the education authority, to say if I can keep Don Houkura for six months. It's going to be special duties, working on the council's position with regards to the 2014 budget and also the 2014 strategic plan.

BEVERLEY TSE: But I understand at the moment he's working as Honiara City Council's education director.

CK: No, not at all. He's not. Don Houkura's contract with the Ministry of Education expired in December and the council is intending to give him special duties. And right now he's not on the job, he has no job right now.

BT: Then why is SINTA complaining about him?

CK: I don't know what they're fussing about.

BT: I understand SINTA is unhappy with Don Houkura and does not want him working for the Council. They've said he's been involved in a number of controversial issues and has not been following the rules of the teaching handbook. Have you taken these concerns into account?

CK: There's no complaint in writing to the Council. We don't know about allegations against Houkura and nothing in writing to the Council, we don't know, or to the Ministry, we don't know what the allegations are about.

BT: But did SINTA raise these issues verbally during the meeting that you had?

CK: Not at all. They were not even also raised. They just do not like him. I assume it's just a personal issue because people at SINTA were sacked by Don Houkura during his term of office as the CEO. So I don't know what. It's so personal to each other, Don and the fellow who's been talking. I don't know about that.