Former Education Minister and Opposition MP Premila Kumar has claimed that the recent appointments in the Education Ministry are questionable, lacks transparency and are unconstitutional while Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says the appointments are nothing out of the ordinary.
In a post on the FijiFirst Facebook page, Kumar claims it started with the appointment of the unsuccessful candidates of SODELPA Losena Salabula and Mikaele Leawere, as the minister’s advisors in his office.
Kumar also questioned the appointment of the former Principal of Ratu Kadavulevu School, Peni Senikarawa, as the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary (there is no DPS position in the Ministry’s establishment) and the former Queen Victoria School Principal, Joseva Gavidi as the Executive Support Unit of the Ministry.
Kumar says Senikarawa was terminated in 2018 for inflicting corporal punishment, claiming that he was charged by the DPP with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
She says Gavidi resigned in 2021 while being investigated for misconduct.
She further says the teachers have been raising their concerns with them that appointments are made without following the established procedures in accordance with the Constitution.
While responding to Kumar, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says Leawere and Salabula are very experienced former educationists.
He says when he assumed the appointment of Minister, his office needed Executive Support staff that he can trust to guide him on the functions of the Ministry.
Radrodro says he therefore sought approval from the Minister for Civil Service who is also the Prime Minister.
Radrodro says the PM approved that the two be recruited as Special Project Consultants.
The Minister says the court has acquitted Senikarawa and they should be grateful that since the judgement of the court in 2022, Senikarawa did not sue the Government to recover his lost earnings and the defamation to his character as a school teacher carrying out his role.
He adds Gavidi is someone who was unfairly treated and was coerced to resign, something that is all too common and is against the principles of natural justice.
Radrodro says he is now back at the Ministry and they will not be the only ones they review and rehire.
He says they are now in the process of looking at everyone who may still have a lot to give towards our education sector.
