Classes cancelled as teachers resume nationwide strike

Aug 13, 2024 | News | 0

Thousands of school children across the country will miss out on classes as the majority of teachers return to industrial action.

The Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU) recalled the industrial action after negotiations failed to resolve the dispute under the Undertaking Agreement.

Secretary General (SG) of VTU, Jonathan Yona, stressed that their demand for VT20 billion payment to members remain unmet despite exploring all legal avenues through a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

He said that under the Undertaking Agreement, VTU can restart industrial action without the usual 30-day notice if negotiations fail.

The industrial action has left some parents frustrated and concern as their children’s learning are affected by the cancelled classes.

A parent who want to remain anonymous stressed that while teachers are seeking fair pay, they should also focus on delivering quality education.

The outcome of learning today is not effective as it was in the past, he said.

“Most parents want to see better results from their children at the end of the year. However, in some schools, this is not happening because teachers lack full commitment. On paydays, usually Fridays, some teachers skip classes just to go to ATMs but yet they claim.”

Another concerned parent, Shem Temar, said human resource are crucial for a country’s development and everyone must collaborate to resolve the dispute.

He said while the government must seriously address the teachers’ needs, teachers also need to collaborate with the government on a solution, ensuring that children’s learning can continue.

Another parent who also want to remain anonymous said instead of just blaming the ministry and Teaching Service Commission, VTU members should also question why the numeracy and literacy rate in Vanuatu is low compared to other regional countries.

He said teachers should understand that they can claim a large amount, it will be verified to determine whether the claim is valid, reduced or increased.

The Daily Post reached out to the Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), Iati Bergmans, and the former Minister of Education Anatole Hymak for comments about the government’s stance regarding the industrial action, but both declined and referred us to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

However, a copy of an advice from the Office of the Attorney General to the Commissioner of Labour regarding the validity of the letter issued by the VTU SG stated that it does not constitute a valid notice.

According to the legal advice, the letter lacked the required 30-day notice and did not specify the date for the proposed strike, as specified in section 33 of the Trade Dispute Act.

Based on the advice, TSC urged teachers and social administrators to resume their duties immediately. Those who refuse will have their names submitted to the employer.

Meanwhile, VTU SG Yona had made it clear that the VTU members will only return to the classroom once their claims are deposited into their accounts.

Regarding social media posts claiming their claims are only VT4.5 billion instead of VT20 billion, Yona replied that there is no evidence to verify this.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Skills competition brings Pacific nations together in Vanuatu October 21, 2026
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Women Demand Action on Gender Equality Ahead of 2029 Elections October 19, 2026
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Male Insecurity Can Lead to Harmful Decisions, Therapist Warns October 19, 2026
Psychotherapist Sue Harris says unresolved feelings of insecurity, guilt and shame can influence men’s decisions and behaviour, making family support and positive male role models important in helping boys develop healthy self-worth. Her comments follow Dr Sale Vurobaravu’s warning about men practising silicone injections, which he said could have serious consequences for their lives. The issue has raised broader questions about the factors that may contribute to such behaviour among men in Vanuatu. Harris, a registered psychotherapist with a Master of Arts degree, said some men struggled with feelings of inadequacy and self-blame, even when they worked hard and tried to meet expectations. She said these feelings could influence their decisions, particularly if they had grown up without emotional support, encouragement or a strong sense of belonging. In more than three years of practice, Harris said she had seen men open up about their struggles and become emotional while sharing experiences that had deeply affected them. She explained that guilt and shame could lead men to believe they were not good enough, potentially influencing decisions that could harm their lives. Harris identified family separation and divorce as factors that could affect a child’s development and influence decisions later in life. She said children who grew up without feeling loved, praised or supported could struggle with their self-worth as adults. Harris said positive male role models were particularly important for boys, especially when their fathers were absent. Joining a football team, participating in gardening or spending time with a trusted male figure could help boys build positive relationships and receive guidance as they grew up. “Boys need positive male figures in their lives,” she said, explaining that while women did their best to support children, positive male involvement also played an important role in boys’ development. Harris said some men continued to feel inadequate despite being hardworking because they believed they were failing to meet the standards expected of them. She said providing children with a safe home where they could express themselves freely and receive encouragement was fundamental to helping them make healthier decisions in the future. Harris said therapy could help men address unresolved emotional struggles, but the process should not focus solely on the individual experiencing trauma or stress. Families also needed to examine their relationships, behaviour and home environments to support lasting change, she said. She said addressing harmful behaviour required a broader change in family systems rather than expecting individuals to overcome the effects of their experiences alone. Harris provides clinical supervision to counsellors, support workers and community workers, as well as employee assistance counselling for non-government organisations, businesses and community organisations. Her comments point to the importance of addressing emotional struggles and family circumstances while encouraging men to seek support and families to provide healthier environments for children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Rural women celebrated for strengthening communities, driving economies October 16, 2026
Rural women’s contributions to community wellbeing, economic development and local leadership were celebrated during a three-day International Rural Women’s Day event held at Eratap, Efate, under the theme, “Rural women rise up: Strong women, strong community.” The event was attended by Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu Emily Fisher, Assistant Secretary General (SG) of the SHEFA Provincial Government Council (SPGC) Liah Kaltoi, members of Silae Vanua Association and community members. Deputy High Commissioner Fisher applauded rural women’s contributions to keeping their communities healthy and strong. She reaffirmed the Australian Government’s continued support for projects across Vanuatu that empower women in rural communities. SPGC Assistant SG Kaltoi reaffirmed the provincial council’s commitment to working with the Government and its development partners to address challenges faced by rural women, particularly in accessing markets for their agricultural produce. She acknowledged that, despite women’s valuable contributions to the province and the country, no women are currently represented on the provincial council. Kaltoi expressed hope that women would unite to secure provincial-level representation and become a voice for other women. She encouraged women across the province to support one another, work collectively and take steps towards achieving representation on the provincial council. Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA) SHEFA Provincial Officer Lilgai Laliet acknowledged rural women’s contributions through producing and selling local food and other agricultural produce. She also recognised the support development partners provide to women-led organisations such as Silae Vanua, which works with rural women to strengthen their empowerment and economic participation. Laliet recognised the role men and boys play in supporting rural women, saying that empowering women requires a collective commitment from families, communities, government and development partners. She said rural women’s work deserved recognition and continued support, as their contributions extended beyond their households to strengthening communities and supporting national development. On behalf of the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services, Laliet officially opened the three-day celebration. The event also featured information booths where women could learn about available services, support and opportunities. Participating organisations, including banks and the Vanuatu Women’s Centre, provided information on financial services and other forms of support to help women strengthen their economic participation and wellbeing.

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Child sexual abuse: Vanuatu cannot afford to look away October 15, 2026
Child sexual abuse cases have revealed a disturbing pattern: children are being abused not by strangers, but by people they know and trust, including fathers, relatives, teachers and others in positions of responsibility. Vanuatu cannot undo the sexual abuse many children have suffered. But it can decide what happens when the next child comes forward. With the Child Protection Bill before Parliament this month, Members of Parliament (MPs) have an important opportunity to strengthen protections for children and ensure a stronger response to abuse. The Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services (MOJYCS) says recent cases demonstrate the need for a stronger national response, including protection and support for children beyond the criminal prosecution of offenders. A five-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by her father, who was sentenced to five years and six months in prison in August this year. That same month, a grandfather was sentenced to more than four years in prison for sexually abusing his granddaughter. In September, a former teacher was sentenced for sexual offences against two 15-year-old students. In March, a man was sentenced for raping a 12-year-old girl. The abuse resulted in her pregnancy. These are among the child sexual abuse cases reported in Vanuatu’s newspapers in 2026. The Ministry says they represent only part of the problem. The Vanuatu Women’s Centre’s national survey, released in March 2026, found that nearly one in three women (30 per cent) had experienced sexual abuse before the age of 15. The MOJYCS says many children never disclose what has happened to them, particularly when the perpetrator is someone they love, fear or depend on. “We cannot continue to treat these cases as isolated tragedies. Child sexual abuse is a serious and widespread problem that demands a stronger national response,” the Ministry says. A prison sentence is not a child protection plan The Ministry argues that reports of criminal convictions reveal much less about what happens to the children themselves after abuse is discovered. “The cases reported in the newspapers tell us something about how Vanuatu’s criminal justice system responds to child sexual abuse. But they tell us much less about what happens to the children themselves,” MOJYCS says. Referring to the five-year-old girl whose father was sentenced for sexually assaulting her, the Ministry says the court’s decision explains the consequences for the perpetrator but does not establish what protection was put in place when the abuse came to light, whether other children were at risk or what support was available to help her recover. These questions, the Ministry says, are just as important as the criminal prosecution. The MOJYCS describes a situation in which a girl tells her teacher that someone at home has been sexually abusing her. She is frightened to return home, her mother may be financially dependent on the perpetrator, and younger children in the household may also be at risk. “The police can investigate the crime. But who assesses whether she is safe to go home that afternoon? Who helps her family find a safe way forward? Who ensures she receives medical care, counselling and ongoing support? And who follows up to make sure she remains safe?” the Ministry asks. “These questions cannot wait months or years for a criminal trial to conclude.” Vanuatu already has laws criminalising rape, incest and other sexual offences. Police, prosecutors and courts play an essential role in investigating crimes and holding perpetrators accountable. However, the MOJYCS says criminal investigations and child protection responses serve different purposes. “A criminal investigation asks whether an offence was committed and who is responsible. A child protection response must ask a different, equally urgent question: is this child safe, and what needs to happen now to protect them?” the Ministry says. “Protecting a child must begin when abuse comes to light, not when a perpetrator is convicted.” The Ministry says this is why the proposed Child Protection Bill matters. The Bill seeks to establish a stronger legal framework for protecting children at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It would establish clearer reporting responsibilities, strengthen the authority of child protection officers to assess and respond to abuse, and provide mechanisms for emergency protection, court orders and safe alternative care. The MOJYCS says these measures would establish clear responsibilities and provide the legal authority needed to intervene when a child is in danger. “A child who discloses sexual abuse needs more than a police investigation. That child needs to be safe tonight, tomorrow and in the months and years that follow,” the Ministry says. Parliament has an opportunity to act The MOJYCS recognises that families, chiefs, churches and communities all have important roles in protecting children. However, it says informal arrangements and goodwill are not always enough when abuse occurs within a family or community. Children need a system with clear legal responsibilities, trained professionals and the authority to intervene when their safety is at risk, the Ministry says. It also cautions that legislation alone will not end child sexual abuse. A strong Child Protection Bill must be backed by trained child protection officers, accessible services, effective referral pathways and sustained investment, including in rural and remote communities. Without these investments, the MOJYCS warns, the promise of stronger legal protection risks remaining just that — a promise. For children experiencing abuse, the Ministry says, the issues are not abstract questions about legislation or government responsibilities. They concern immediate safety, dignity, care and recovery. The MOJYCS says a child’s access to protection should not depend on where they live, whom they know or whether someone happens to be available to help when they disclose abuse. “To the MPs who will consider the Child Protection Bill this month: the children behind these headlines deserve more than our concern. They deserve action,” the Ministry says. “Vanuatu cannot undo the abuse these children have suffered. But it can decide what happens when the next child comes forward. “Pass a strong Child Protection Bill. Commit the resources needed to make it work. And ensure that when a read more…

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