TEACHERS STRIKE ILLEGAL, TEACHERS URGED TO RESUME NEXT WEEK

PICTURE CAPTION: Maini Mike Ugaia, Acting Chairman, Teachers Service Commission addressing the media today at Education Department Office, Vulupindi House.

THE office of the T Service Teachers Commission has clarified media speculations of a planned Teachers strike on Monday, 19th January, that the planned strike is illegal

Acting Chairman of teachers Service Commission Maini Mike Ugaia, told the media this morning.

Mr Ugaia says there is a process to be followed and there is no agreement on a planned strike between the authorities, Teachers Association or TSC.

Chairman Ugaia calls on all teachers to resume duty on Monday 19th January as gazetted.

Mr Ugaia says, under Section 95 of TSC Act, TSC is Mandated to dismiss teachers who are instigating or taking on a strike action.

Chairman Ugaia made this clarification this morning in his address welcoming all teachers nation-wide to the new academic year urging teachers to respect the established appointment process, and resume for duty.

He assured teachers of Section 9 of the TSC Act, that the Teachers Service Commission is mandated to safeguard and protect the interest of all teachers in the country.

He reminded teachers of their noble profession and urged them to reset their mindset, recommit and rededicate to their profession and ensure their conduct remains guided by strong ethical and moral values.

Chairman Ugaia also 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, vacations has lapsed and there is no logic in paying teachers airfares to the service providers.