Minister of Education, Hon Moffat Fugui

THE Education Minister has been called on to give an update on the restructuring currently happening in his ministry.

Hon Matthew Wale made the call in Parliament last week.

Minister of Education, Moffat Fugui informed parliament that in terms of manpower, the implementation of restructuring requires an alignment of the ministry’s manpower establishment with the new structure.

“The realignment is anticipated to see movements of existing staff to parallel or higher positions as well as the recruitment of new employees to build capacity within the new structure” he said.

In relation to this statement, Mr Fugui added that the restructure itself demands new manpower to cater for capacity building.

The minister gave a clarified outline of the ministry’s progress in the restructuring process.

He said by the end of 2014 prior to the restructuring, there were a total of 295 approved established posts within the public service commission, which included 66 teachers for King George VI and Waimapuru national secondary schools.

Mr Fugui continued that by 2016, there was a total of 309 approved established posts, 254 existing posts, 55 new approved posts and 18 new posts approved today.

He further elaborated, in Nov 2016 of the total 309 approved established posts, 225 are filled today, 82 are currently vacant and 47 posts of the 82 posts are pending applications within the public commission.

Furthermore, 20 posts await being prioritised by the relevant divisions, 6 posts for formal internal promotions, and 9 posts are currently under the local technical consultancy funds from donors and await advertisement.

“So the ministry is expected to fully implement this restructuring by the middle of this year 2017,” he said.