Calls made by Education Ministry staff to remove Radrodro, concerns raised about micro-management and personal attacks

Questions continue to be raised on why the Permanent Secretary for Education’s appointment under the constitution is still being rejected by the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, while the successful candidate, Selina Kuruleca who was supposed to start in office on the 3rd of July remains outside the ministry headquarters due to this mess.

There are also calls now being made to remove Radrodro as Minister as he is not adhering to the constitutional process and the Prime Minister’s agreement with the PSC for the appointment.

Some of the ministry staff are making further allegations of micro-management by Radrodro, saying some of the actions can be termed as dictatorial, and this has also resulted in heated confrontations with some staff who are seen to be supporters of Kuruleca as the Permanent Secretary.

Questions have also arisen on why the ‘union excuse’ is being used by Radrodro where he said the teachers unions are against Kuruleca’s appointment.

Some of the staff say where is the justice in all of this when the constitutional process is being ignored while the union issue is being used, and information now coming out that the Fijian Teachers Association General Secretary, Paula Manumanunitoga was one of the applicants for the Permanent Secretary position.

Despite many attempts to get Radrodro, he has not responded to our questions.

Kuruleca remains outside the ministry despite the appointment made under section 126 of the Constitution which states that the Public Service Commission has the functions to appoint permanent secretaries, with the agreement of the Prime Minister; and to remove permanent secretaries, with the agreement of the Prime Minister.

We have also contacted the Chair of the Public Service Commission, Luke Rokovada who says that there is likely to be a resolution in the next day or two in relation to Selina Kuruleca’s appointment as the Permanent Secretary for Education.

Rokovada says the PSC made the appointment with the agreement of the Prime Minister but there was resistance from the Minister for Education.

We have also contacted Prime Minister Rabuka on his next step based on the calls and allegations being made.

The Fiji Women's Rights Movement has also made an urgent call on Aseri Radrodro and the teacher unions to respect the decision of the Public Service Commission in appointing Kuruleca as the Permanent Secretary for Education.

FWRM Executive Director, Nalini Singh asks what are the justifications of the Minister and the unions rejecting Kuruleca’s appointment to the Education Ministry, and why do they think they have to be consulted when the law clearly states otherwise.

Singh says Section 126 (1) of the constitution confirms that ministers are not required to be consulted about appointment of Permanent Secretaries.