All teachers affected by the recent salary stoppage have now received their outstanding payments, with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro ordering an investigation into what caused the salary stoppage and the processes that led to it.
Radrodro says the investigation will look into the circumstances surrounding the salary stoppage and the processes involved.
He also stressed that personal information relating to affected teachers remains confidential and cannot be released to private individuals or organisations.
This follows public comments by former Ministry of Education employee Apisai Salaba, who said he approached the Ministry seeking a list of teachers affected by the salary stoppage.
The Minister says the request was not approved because the information is confidential.
He says the government information is managed in accordance with the requirements governing the Public Service, including the protection of confidential and personal information relating to teachers.
He adds that Salaba resigned from the Ministry last year and is no longer a public officer.
Radrodro says his fundraising appeal and proposed disbursement of the funds are a private arrangement between Salaba and the organisers, and the government is not a party to that arrangement.
The Minister says genuine efforts to support affected teachers are welcomed, but private initiatives must remain separate from Government processes and cannot rely on access to confidential Government information.
Radrodro also says the current situation should not be taken advantage of for political purposes or personal interests.
The Minister says the media has an important responsibility to ask the right questions and provide the public with the full picture.
He says this includes asking who is responsible for verifying beneficiaries, how privately raised funds will be managed and distributed, and what safeguards are in place to protect teachers' personal information.
The Minister says it will continue to uphold the standards expected of the Public Service and safeguard the privacy and dignity of teachers.
