Public Notice: Demanding Service Fees is Bribery and Corruption
Kanau further highlighted that the secretary's office has released a public notice stating that demanding service fees and charges in relation to teachers' salary matters is tantamount to bribery and corruption.
He called on teachers to provide evidence, such as copies of deposit slips for manual transactions or statements for electronic transactions when reporting cases of officers asking for fees.
This evidence would enable the department to track down responsible officers and report them to the department secretary for disciplinary action.
Complaints Require Proof of Payments
Despite the department receiving numerous complaints from teachers, Kanau explained that without proof of payments, it is challenging for the department to take action.
He urged teachers to report such matters to their respective education advisers at the provincial level or to the office with evidence at the national level.
Kanau emphasized the importance of providing evidence to help identify officers who are engaging in improper practices related to teachers' salary matters.
Protecting Teachers' Rights
As PNG strives to improve the education sector and ensure that teachers are treated fairly, Kanau's statement serves as a reminder that teachers should not be charged any fees for processing their salaries.
The Education Department is committed to addressing any incidents of bribery or corruption in relation to teachers' pay and encourages teachers to come forward with evidence to hold accountable any officers who engage in such practices.
It is vital to protect the rights and welfare of teachers, who play a critical role in shaping the future of PNG through their dedication to educating the nation's youth.
