Minister for Education Premila Kumar has questioned the sincerity of the General Secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union Agni Deo Singh towards his members.
Kumar said this while responding to Singh’s comments that Kumar once again attempted to castigate teachers by making a general statement that some teachers drink grog all night and disappear during the day.
In a statement, the Education Minister says her statement that some teachers drink grog all night and disappear during the day, should be supported by the Union and not to come to their defence.
Kumar says such complaints are made by school management committees, parents and concerned heads of schools and should not be left aside but to be dealt through disciplinary process, which is being done.
She adds as she has said some teachers and this is not generalization but teachers must know that there are some teachers who are spoiling the name of dedicated and excellent teachers.
Kumar further says a good union leader will always support productive measures for the benefit of teachers and not oppose and criticize the Government or the Minister for bringing about much needed changes or reforms for the benefit of our children.
She claims they know why Singh is so critical adding they know he is preparing himself to enter politics.
Singh had said that what Kumar fails to understand is that there are over 13,000 teachers and she has received reports against some teachers.
Singh says Kumar could have identified these teachers and taken appropriate action rather than castigating the entire profession in public.
