But Education Minister Mahendra Reddy is next on Khaiyum's firing list after coup buddy Reddy went around telling all his friends that he was not credited with preparing the recent Budget and also that he was cheated out of the post of Minister of Trade; Bainimarama also under pressure to sack Reddy after revolt at Education Ministry for his dictatorial behavior and planned sweeping changes; trying to get
rid of Divisional Education Officers and DPS!
From: Mikaele Leawere [mailto:mleawere@fta.org.fj]
Sent: Wednesday, 17 December 2014 4:50 PM
To: Mahendra Reddy (mahendra.reddy@govnet.gov.fj)
Cc: 'Maika Namudu'; pdelaibatiki@gmail.com; parmesh.chand@psc.gov.fj; PS PM's Office (pspmoffice1@connect.com.fj)
Subject: REFORMS AND REMOVAL OF POSITIONS
Dear Dr Reddy
Greetings from FTA!
We are writing to voice our concern regarding issues which are highlighted below. Our issue is the removal of the post of Deputy Secretary For Education, Primary/Secondary and Divisional Education Officer Positions and as well as your proposed restructure of posts in Ministry of Education without consultations which were ratified by previous democratic governments and has led to write to you quoting relevant sections of the Education Commission Report 2000,Chapter 24, Section
24.4, Page 373 where it specifically states that whatever changes to be made, it is the system that needs to be reviewed and what it does not suggest is discarding these positions but rather to look at them in terms of effectiveness.
a) Pursuant to this as stated herein, the 1993 Job Evaluation Agreement which also recognized the importance of the said positions had classified them under the generic ED Classification.
b) One of the striking facts about these changes is that, it lacks consultations and the most pitiful thing about it is the lack of vision by the Permanent Secretary who should be strong to inform your office of your unilateral decisions being made which demoralises the entire staffs that are affected in your Ministry. As a consequence, it has resulted in making your people powerless and to make it worse, you have not considered the positive contributions they have made to the whole Education System. Such clear lack of policies often leads to confusion about education strategies that are being pursued by your Ministry.
c) Under ERP 2008, Section 14 – (1) and Fiji Constitution 2013, Section 20 – (1), (4) we have the right, to challenge in court your undemocratic decisions.
As often suggested by you as Minister of Education regarding reforms, we are informing you that some of these changes you are introducing without dialogue and consultations with relevant bodies; shows a lack of respect for our individual and workers’ rights including Unions right to bargain collectively. You have not followed due process as you have now made yourself judge and jury. This is challengeable in a court of law.
We do not approve of withdrawal of the DSPS position and etc without consultations as their roles help distribute supervision at PS level to ensure quality education and being mindful of rural and disadvantaged populations.
Where is the logic in these reforms? Why are you dismantling everything at MOE? You have virtually dismantled the structure currently available, from post processing (as Chair which undermines the authority of the Permanent Secretary under relevant section 127 (1-8) and PEO positions (PEO Eastern and PEO ESU), interfering in the interview of these posts as well as Divisional Education Officers.
Furthermore whist we agree with the proposed movements of Master Seci Waqabaca and Mrs Fotofili, we are wary and apprehensive of their replacements as these positions should be filled from within.
Budget has already been set and such changes are done before budgets to ensure we are sincere and transparent with government Annual budgets.
It is evident, you are doing consultations on the above issues outside education circles and forcing them [despite the new democracy] in the education system without consulting stakeholders . This arrogance we will not accept and must rise to challenge with what the laws permit us to do, if you fail to respect and consult us.
Our fear is not the reform but the negative effects of an untested theory loaded with in-genuine motives to drive quality education.
We will await your response as we feel that you have breached the very constitution that you have boldly professed that you had contributed to its compilation.
We need to remind you that FTA will seek legal redress should you fail to address our concerns.
……………………
Mikaele Leawere
FTA
Suva
Sent: Wednesday, 17 December 2014 4:50 PM
To: Mahendra Reddy (mahendra.reddy@govnet.gov.fj)
Cc: 'Maika Namudu'; pdelaibatiki@gmail.com; parmesh.chand@psc.gov.fj; PS PM's Office (pspmoffice1@connect.com.fj)
Subject: REFORMS AND REMOVAL OF POSITIONS
Dear Dr Reddy
Greetings from FTA!
We are writing to voice our concern regarding issues which are highlighted below. Our issue is the removal of the post of Deputy Secretary For Education, Primary/Secondary and Divisional Education Officer Positions and as well as your proposed restructure of posts in Ministry of Education without consultations which were ratified by previous democratic governments and has led to write to you quoting relevant sections of the Education Commission Report 2000,Chapter 24, Section
24.4, Page 373 where it specifically states that whatever changes to be made, it is the system that needs to be reviewed and what it does not suggest is discarding these positions but rather to look at them in terms of effectiveness.
a) Pursuant to this as stated herein, the 1993 Job Evaluation Agreement which also recognized the importance of the said positions had classified them under the generic ED Classification.
b) One of the striking facts about these changes is that, it lacks consultations and the most pitiful thing about it is the lack of vision by the Permanent Secretary who should be strong to inform your office of your unilateral decisions being made which demoralises the entire staffs that are affected in your Ministry. As a consequence, it has resulted in making your people powerless and to make it worse, you have not considered the positive contributions they have made to the whole Education System. Such clear lack of policies often leads to confusion about education strategies that are being pursued by your Ministry.
c) Under ERP 2008, Section 14 – (1) and Fiji Constitution 2013, Section 20 – (1), (4) we have the right, to challenge in court your undemocratic decisions.
As often suggested by you as Minister of Education regarding reforms, we are informing you that some of these changes you are introducing without dialogue and consultations with relevant bodies; shows a lack of respect for our individual and workers’ rights including Unions right to bargain collectively. You have not followed due process as you have now made yourself judge and jury. This is challengeable in a court of law.
We do not approve of withdrawal of the DSPS position and etc without consultations as their roles help distribute supervision at PS level to ensure quality education and being mindful of rural and disadvantaged populations.
Where is the logic in these reforms? Why are you dismantling everything at MOE? You have virtually dismantled the structure currently available, from post processing (as Chair which undermines the authority of the Permanent Secretary under relevant section 127 (1-8) and PEO positions (PEO Eastern and PEO ESU), interfering in the interview of these posts as well as Divisional Education Officers.
Furthermore whist we agree with the proposed movements of Master Seci Waqabaca and Mrs Fotofili, we are wary and apprehensive of their replacements as these positions should be filled from within.
Budget has already been set and such changes are done before budgets to ensure we are sincere and transparent with government Annual budgets.
It is evident, you are doing consultations on the above issues outside education circles and forcing them [despite the new democracy] in the education system without consulting stakeholders . This arrogance we will not accept and must rise to challenge with what the laws permit us to do, if you fail to respect and consult us.
Our fear is not the reform but the negative effects of an untested theory loaded with in-genuine motives to drive quality education.
We will await your response as we feel that you have breached the very constitution that you have boldly professed that you had contributed to its compilation.
We need to remind you that FTA will seek legal redress should you fail to address our concerns.
……………………
Mikaele Leawere
FTA
Suva
 Golden handshakes turning to dust |  Power had gone into their heads! |
History repeating itself: Mahendra Reddy and Ganesh Chand had taken over Chaudhry's hat and were behaving like they were the new warlords of Fiji post-coup!
