“Stay away from politics. You are civil servants. If you want to cut short your career then resign and join politics."
Ministry of Education’s Deputy Secretary Primary/Secondary for Education, Timoci Bure. Photo: MOE
Stick to your role, stay out of politics, the Ministry of Education’s Deputy Secretary Primary/Secondary for Education, Timoci Bure, told principals and teachers yesterday.
He was speaking during the 128th Principals Conference 2023 at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa at Denarau, Nadi.
Mr Bure’s response is in light of allegations at the height the 2022 General Election campaign where teachers were found to be hosting political party members in their homes.
“We have given you a caution letter, a caution letter to tell you that you do not get involved in it again,” he said.
“We need you to be apolitical. Nobody should know which political party you vote for, only you, your pen and your ballot paper and the ballot box, not even your wife.
“That is the level of professionalism that we expect from all of you.”
Permanent Secretary for Civil Service Parmesh Chand last night clarified that the Civil Service Code of Conduct deemed civil servants as impartial.
This means they are not to be affiliated with any political party or agenda and should work ‘in the best interest of the people they are serving as well as the government of the day’.
Mr Bure looked around the room and told of how teachers were used last year as a political gimmick.
“You know yourself…I don’t want my heads of schools to be victimised,” Mr Bure said.
“Stay away from politics. You are civil servants. If you want to cut short your career then resign and join politics.
“You know when the campaign period starts, stay away. If temptation comes for you to host something somewhere, you can give all kinds of excuse to them because (if you do otherwise) the evidence, photos will tell that you were there,” he added.
Fiji Teachers Union former national president Muniappa Gounder said teachers to let politicians handle political matters.
“School heads have a role to play and code of ethics to follow therefore, they should stay away from politics,” he said.
The conference ends today.
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