A good number of teachers who have missed out on receiving their traveling allowance to pay for their seafare during the holiday have expressed deep concern as to why some have received their full amount while others did not.
The unequal payment has been described as unfair for those who did not receive any allowances. The issue had been a matter of discussions amongst teachers via the social media over the past weeks.
Between August and September last year all teachers were issued with traveling forms by their education providers to fill by identifying their holiday destinations.
The forms were returned along with profomas for seafare to the respective Education Providers for final check before being submitted to the Ministry of Education and later to Ministry of Finance for payment.
After being processed the Ministry of Finance proceeded to making payments from November to December 2025 where teachers have been receiving their traveling allowances over separate fortnights.
While many teachers were smiling after receiving their full allowance, it was disappointed for some others.
Thats because some received an amount well below their claims, while others nothing at all.
In one school in Honiara four teachers did not receive their traveling allowances at all. In other schools there were similar cases. Their school had to step in and provided some support.
Despite resubmitting their names to their Education Providers, nothing was paid until the New Year.
Lack of payment had denied many teachers from traveling to their provinces and villagers to spend time with their loved ones.
Others have to apply for a loan to travel with their families. Others had to relay on their family members and spouse in order to go travel to their villages.
Those affected said, its very frustrating for many teachers who have big families.
There were claims, nepotism was also at play because some teachers whose destination are located within the own province and island received more than what they should receive. Thats because their relatives and friends are working inside the education office.
With the 2026 academic year set to start in three weeks time, some teachers said, it would be a challenge for them to return early to school because of what had happened.
Questions are also being raised by teachers as to who should be blamed for the non-payment and injustice. Is it the school leader, the Education Provider or the Ministry of Education?
Teachers who have been victimised want answers and clarifications on the issue.
Some claimed some of the education directors and their officers are incapable of doing their job because they did not respond to their queries and shift the blame to the education ministry.
Questions were sent to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Communication Officer few weeks ago seeking clarification on the situation but until now, no response was forth coming.
The official academic year is set to commence on Monday 26th January.
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