Minister of Education, Aseri Radrodro will have to work with whatever he’s got left and that is his problem if he does not accept the appointment of Selina Kuruleca as the Permanent Secretary for Education.
This has been stated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka after being asked by fijivillage News on what is his final decision after Radrodro rejected the Permanent Secretary appointment.
According to section 126 of the Constitution, 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.
Rabuka says the PSC is allowed to do its own work and they will make a list of recommendations which he concurs with.
He says in this case, the Permanent Secretary appointed and contracted by the PSC is not acceptable to the Minister of Education which is now his problem.
When asked by fijivillage News if Radrodro had given him any reason as to why he rejected Kuruleca's appointment, Rabuka says that Radrodro just told him that he did not like her.
Rabuka also confirms that the union has no power to decide on who is appointed as the Permanent Secretary, and they had written to the Minister of Education, and not to him.
When asked if Radrodro wanted another person, Rabuka says there were some discussions on that.
When approached by fijivillage News on the Prime Minister saying that Radrodro had said he did not like Kuruleca, Radrodro says his main reason is the teacher unions who do not want Kuruleca.
Radrodro has not responded to our questions on the reason for his rejection of the PS appointment and the fact that the constitution states that the appointment is made by the PSC with the agreement of the Prime Minister. He also has not responded to the question on what is the final decision after his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Earlier:
Questions are being raised on what constitutional steps the Prime Minister will take after Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro said that he rejects the appointment of Selina Kuruleca as the Permanent Secretary for Education.
Kuruleca was selected by the Public Service Commission through their independent recruitment process.
According to section 126 of the Constitution, 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.
When questioned on her stand, Kuruleca says as a public servant she will respect the decision of the PSC and the Minister for Civil Service who is also the Prime Minister.
Kuruleca says as a former school teacher, a USP lecturer, a mental health professional, an iTaukei and a woman, she is the best candidate for the position that she was selected to.
She says she is awaiting further instructions from PSC as her employer.
Kuruleca says she has a signed contract and an appointment letter.
She looks forward to being an effective public servant, and working in a manner that utilises her skills set and expertise. Kuruleca says her passion, knowledge and expertise is with children and young people.
She anticipates that where ever she is appointed to, she will utilise her skills set for the betterment of our people and for the advancement of the needs of the Coalition Government.
Kuruleca also says conflict management is part of being a leader, and she stresses that she is the best candidate for the job.
We have sent Radrodro questions on why he has rejected Kuruleca’s appointment.
We have also asked the Prime Minister what is his final decision as the Constitution states that the Permanent Secretaries are to be appointed by the PSC with the agreement of the Prime Minister.
When questioned by fijivillage News, SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa says Minister Aseri Radrodro had told the party that he was not given the list and was not consulted.
Takayawa says the party has nothing to do with this, and it is a PSC issue.
Selina Kuruleca related stories here
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
