More than 200 teachers have lost their jobs because they did not want to get jabbed with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fijian Teachers Association general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga said the teachers were forced to resign because of the choice they made.
He said the FTA was taking the “no jab, no job” matter to the High Court in Suva and the case would be called next Wednesday.
He said according to data from the Education Ministry, 168 teachers in the Central Division were now jobless.
Mr Manumanunitoga said he was also advised that as many as 40 teachers in the Northern Division and 37 teachers in the Western Division were also forced to go home after they refused to adhere to the Government’s “no jab, no job” rule.
He said the teachers had opted to resort to other self-employment opportunities such as commercial farming and fi shing.
Fiji Teachers Union general secretary Agni Deo Singh said it was imperative the Education Ministry ensured that students’ learning was not disturbed when school resumed.
The two teacher unions also called on the ministry to make proper arrangements and fill the vacant positions.
Mr Manumanunitoga said the FTA had applied for Constitutional Redress in the High Court.
A total of 13,184 school teachers are currently employed by the Education Ministry. Questions sent to the Education Ministry on this issue remain unanswered.
