President Dr. Irfaan Ali held crucial consultations with Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers at State House on Monday, during which he indicated that the government will be considering the feasibility of tax-free allowances and housing solutions.
At the start of the meeting, the President who was accompanied by Education Minister, Priya Manichchand; Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; and Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to gather teachers’ insights on how the administration could improve their well-being and address key challenges in the education sector.
During the open discussion, a consensus emerged among teachers: they expressed a strong preference for tax-free allowances over salary increases, which are subject to taxation. Some also highlighted the need for government-allocated laptops to do their work, as many are forced to use their personal devices, which puts those who cannot afford one at a disadvantage.
One teacher also pinpointed the need for the development of an early retirement plan, as many teachers are forced to retire before the retirement age due to chronic illnesses and other issues, and unfortunately there is no compensation package for them.
Meanwhile, educators from remote hinterland schools shared the unique challenges they face in delivering quality education to these far-flung communities. They raised issues such as a shortage of teaching staff, substandard accommodation, and the significant distance and transportation challenges they encounter.
One teacher from Kato Secondary School shared their daily journey, saying they walk for 45 minutes to reach the school and it is quite a distance, and the terrain can be very challenging due to the scorching heat. Both educators and students alike have to trek from their homes to the school.
In response, President Ali proposed an innovative solution: exploring mechanisms to help teachers acquire vehicles, making their commute to school more efficient.
Furthermore, the head-of-state also announced an upcoming milestone: in November of this year, approximately 2,300 trained teachers will graduate. This will significantly contribute to addressing the shortage of qualified educators, not just in the hinterland but throughout the entire country.
Ali also committed to addressing the housing needs of teachers. He recognized that some educators who have been allocated land are struggling to secure loans or financing for property development and the government is willing to provide support in this regard.
Additionally, the government expressed its commitment to exploring solutions for teachers with pending applications dating back to pre-2019.
