|
|
Mauritius: Prb Report and Concern of Teachers
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
L'Express (Port Louis)
COLUMN
5 December 2007
Posted to the web 5 December 2007
Sunilduth MUNGUR
Port Louis
Teachers are very much concerned about the publication of the next PRB report as regards certain acquired rights such as passage benefit, payment of sick leave etc But the main apprehension of teachers is whether the PRB will abolish seniority for nomination of teachers and DHTs.
It is vivid in the minds of teachers that 1993 marked the abolition of seniority for teachers and everyone knows the outcome. Fortunately, the ministry took the right decision to remedy the situation. Teachers fear that abolition of seniority might bring another 1993 episode. The same situation is being faced by DHTs. They too are very worried.
Teachers are very angry against a trade unionist who stated that for the nomination of DHTs that matter could be discussed. This means that he is questioning the present system of promotion by seniority for DHTs.
Another point which is causing much stress is the question of NLNS. The 2003 PRB report recommended a graduated allowance for NLNS. Teachers are wondering whether this allowance will be maintained or not; or whether this allowance will be simply integrated in the salary without any increase. There are too many dark clouds on this issue. Let it be noted that one trade unionist who had made NLNS his "cheval de bataille" failed miserably to have the allowances increased.
Another preoccupation of teachers is the question of vacation leave. In 2003 the PRB granted only 17 days for teachers. Teachers still hope that the vacation leave entitlement will be reviewed.
Training is another pertinent issue. The B Ed courses have not started yet. In 2003 as per PRB report the qualifications for new entrants was 5 credits at SC and 2 A Levels. Will PRB 2008 upgrade the qualifications for new entrants? In 2003 PRB recommended the creation of the post of mentor. But since then only some 60 mentors have been recruited. Will the 2008 report recommend more posts?
The retirement age going up to 65 years is a matter of great concern. Teachers are still considering whether they should continue to teach till 65 though they will have one foot in the grave by then!
To conclude let us quote section 27.7 of the PRB Report 2003. "The various unions of teachers in the primary sector have requested that the salary of teacher/senior teacher be aligned with that of teachers of the private secondary schools."
|
In recent years, clericals and nurses (just to name two) have made some progress in fighting for their rights and as far as salaries are concerned. But since 2003 the fate of teachers has remained the same. Will the PRB report 2008 give a ray of hope to teachers?
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2007 L'Express. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make allAfrica.com your home page | RSS Feed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top | Site Guide | Who We Are | Advertising | Search | Subscribe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Questions or Comments? Contact us. Read our Privacy Statement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
