Port Moresby – Teachers across Papua New Guinea have raised serious concerns over delayed salaries, unpaid leave fares, and lack of recognition, calling on the government to urgently address these long-standing issues. The concerns highlight the struggles faced by educators in both urban and remote areas, affecting their ability to support their families while carrying out their national duties.
“We stand in classrooms every day, shaping the future of this nation, yet we struggle to survive ourselves,” said one concerned teacher who requested anonymity. “We teach your children with all our hearts, we love them like our own, and we do everything we can to make sure they grow up educated, disciplined, and ready for life. Meanwhile, our salaries are late, our entitlements ignored, and our families go without.”
Teachers say many work long hours after school and late into the night preparing lessons, marking assignments, and providing extra support to students, yet receive no compensation for overtime. In remote postings, unpaid leave fares prevent educators from returning home to visit their families, often for years at a time.
“Delayed salaries cause real hardship,” the teacher added. “When our pay is late, our children go hungry, bills go unpaid, and our families struggle to survive. Even with all these challenges, we are still expected to stand in front of classrooms and deliver results as if nothing is wrong.”
Concerned teachers say the Education Secretary has called on them to continue standing in classrooms, but he has not felt the pain that teachers are going through. “He sits in the office and does not understand the struggle that hardworking teachers face every day,” the teacher said. “He has even threatened that teachers without RODSS will be removed from the payroll, adding more fear and stress to an already difficult situation.”
Teachers also call on the responsible authorities, including the National Department of Education, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), and the National Education Board (NEB), under the leadership of the Minister for Education, Hon. Lucas Dawa Dekena, to urgently intervene. These bodies are mandated to manage education policy, teacher welfare, curriculum standards, and the administration of the national education system.
“Teachers are not asking for handouts — we are asking for fairness, respect, and basic decency,” the teacher said. “When teachers are supported, the nation grows stronger. When teachers are ignored, the future of Papua New Guinea is at risk.”
Teachers are now appealing to national leaders, including Hon. Allan Bird and Opposition Leader Hon. James Nomane, MP, to speak on their behalf and ensure the government addresses these critical issues affecting educators across the country.
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