Only the unaffected teachers were asked to report back, just like other unaffected civil servants – Education Ministry

The Ministry of Education is perplexed by comments by the Fiji Teachers Union on why teachers unaffected by flooding were asked to come back to school.

In a statement, the Ministry says the unaffected teachers were asked to report back, just the same as other unaffected civil servants who were also at work.

They say teachers are civil servants and the rules that apply to civil servants applies to them as well.

The Ministry says it was made very clear that those affected can stay and work from home.

FTU General Secretary Agni Deo Singh had also said that the Ministry does not understand that teachers are also affected and should be allowed to stay home until the weather clears.

The Ministry of Education says they had made it clear that if teachers are affected whether they have to travel short or long distances, the decision to stay home was left to them.

The Ministry says it is surprising to know that Singh does not know what the teachers will do at school.

They say they have lost a lot of time due to COVID-19 and teachers need to prepare lesson plans, complete paperwork, prepare worksheets, ensure schools are fully prepared for students and also take extra care towards preparations for Years 12 and 13 examinations.

The Ministry of Education says the issues raised by FTU is just another hollow and baseless attempt to criticise and attack the Government.