A child raises their hand in class at school. Photo: UnSplash/ Taylor Flowe
Vanuatu's Council of Ministers has agreed for the government to settle teachers' pay claims at 4.2 billion vatu - around US$35 million.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported 33 teachers' claims were paid last Friday].
Of the agreed total, the government plans to address over 800 million vatu this year, with 1 billion vatu to be appropriated in next year's budget, and more in future budgets.
Acting Education Minister Andrew Napuat said the Working Committee approved by the Council of Ministers (COM) is verifying claims against records, and payments will continue.
Napuat has asked schools to be fully operational as the teachers' claims are being handled by the government through the payment plan.
"The first payments already made prove the government's commitment to settle the claims," he said.
"Teachers should know that we (the government) will settle the claims according to due process. That is why the Working Committee is working hard to ensure the claims are settled as per the COM decision."
The Vanuatu Teachers Union has expressed disapproval with the payment amount, but said its members will return to the classroom once they receive the first payment in their accounts.
As they wait, the number of suspensions issued by the Teaching Service Commission continues to rise, exceeding 230 as of early last week.
This figure is expected to have increased further.