NIP TEACHERS FRUSTRATED OVER NON-PAYMENT OF LEAVE FARES AS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR COMMENCES

BY FRANKIY KAPIN, in Kavieng

2026 academic year commences today with teachers’ nationwide scheduled resumption for duty today, teachers in New Ireland province continues to vent their frustrations over the delayed in airfares issue, now that vacation period has lapse.

More than 50 teachers gathered with their representatives to express their frustrations as the school holidays is coming to an end but teachers still denied leave fares.

The response from education authorities in the province is far from accepted by teachers who are requesting better amends.

A meeting last Friday- January 9, 2026 with the New Ireland Teachers Association President Benson Noah to address the issue bringing to the immediate attention of the provincial education office and the CEO Social Sector in the Provincial Administration.

Delayed leave fares has become a chronic epidemic in Papua New Guinea repeated over the years to the disappointment of teachers.

Provincial Education Director Patrick Neman said his office is responsible for leave fares but lacks reliable information.
CEO Social Sector Benson Apelis said teachers are entitled to their leave fares, a commitment by the state to pay them every two years.

Mr Apelis said the only setback is the inadequate funds given to them by the government, which is not enough compared to their submitted budget.

Another meeting is expected today in Kavieng town finding further steps addressing this legacy problem.

Meantime Teachers Service Commission Acting Chairman Maini Mike have called on the responsible agencies to fast track the payment of over due teachers entitlements and airfares by January and pay the dues into their personal bank account and not to service providers, saying vacations has lapsed and there is no logic in paying teachers airfares to the service providers.