Education Ministry does not have an appeals board which they can lodge their appeal if disciplined

Minister for Education Rosy Akbar says that the Ministry does not have a appeals board to which teachers can lodge their appeal if they have been disciplined.

While responding to a question by SODELPA MP Ro Teimumu Kepa whether the Ministry has a Teachers’ Appeal Board where teachers can lodge their appeals for any disciplinary action, Akbar says  teachers can appeal with the Employment Relations Tribunal, take the matter to court or seek mediation with the Employment Minister.

The Minister says the Permanent Secretary can also refer a case to the Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal.

Akbar says they are bound by the Disciplinary Guidelines which came into effect in January 2017 and updated in December last year. 

She says all disciplinary processes incorporate the principle of natural justice adding the employee is informed of the allegation in writing, is provided with the opportunity to respond to the allegation to the appointed panel and is provided the opportunity to have a support person during investigation.

Ro Teimumu then said that she is not happy with Akbar’s response adding she knows that she inherited a lot of baggage from her predecessors.

She asked Akbar how can teachers’ issues be dealt properly as there is no appeals board.

Akbar says she cannot resolve things overnight and has assured the teachers that the Ministry will look into their plight and address it moving forward.