Some Divisional Education officers had told teachers they did not have to sit for the Proficiency Test - AG

An investigation will carried out by the Ministry of Education in relation to issues of non‑performance, deliberate giving out of wrong information and leakage of teachers’ personal information by Education Ministry administrators.

It has been revealed that some Divisional Education officers had told some teachers that they did not have to sit for the Proficiency Test.

In a press conference, Education Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says these teachers who were given incorrect information will have to sit for the test but they will be given 1 year contracts.

He says those interested teacher candidates who were not previously available to take exams, new exam times would be advertised this Saturday.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they will start some investigations tomorrow and they will be getting some people from outside the Ministry including the Civil Service Reform Management Unit and people from some other Ministries to find out who are actually causing these issues.

He says the investigation team will be led by the Director of the Civil Service Reform Management Unit.

Sayed-Khaiyum says once those who are responsible are found they will be held accountable and will go through the disciplinary process.

He also says the Ministry of Education is in the process of assessing appropriate school locations to best accommodate teachers seeking transfers.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds that teachers that have been given representations by Ministry officials that they will be transferred, but who have not yet been transferred will have their claims properly verified.

Once verified, those pending teacher transfer requests will be processed in the next two weeks.

It has also been announced that teacher shortages are being addressed on an ongoing basis.

He says the past practice of Ministry officials touring the country to assess teacher shortages has ended as school Heads have now been granted greater autonomy and responsibility, and will be required to submit forms requesting additional teaching personnel and facilities if required.

Ministry officials will then verify the need for additional teachers and facilities.

Sayed-Khaiyum says forms will be made available by the end of this week and the Ministry will be placing priority on filling secondary school vacancies, mainly in the subject areas of math, physics, industrial arts and office technology.