The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has issued a firm directive aimed at safeguarding the stability of Papua New Guinea’s teaching workforce ahead of the 2026 academic year, declaring the displacement of serving teachers through improper processes illegal.
TSC Chairman Maini Mike Ugaia said the Commission is taking decisive action to protect teachers from unlawful removals and administrative errors, particularly as the critical Pay 9 auto-suspension deadline approaches.
He stressed that all serving teachers must remain in recognized teaching positions in the 2026 postings.
Any teacher not in a position must have exited the system through proper legal channels, including disciplinary action, resignation, or other formal processes.
“The Commission’s position is absolute.”
“If serving teachers are displaced through illegal processes, TSC will maintain them on pay in their 2025 positions and they must not be moved.”
“Teacher movements should only occur through gazetted positions and promotions.”
He further emphasized that under Section 24 of the Teaching Service Act, it is strictly illegal to displace serving teachers, warning that any appointing authority acting outside the law will face intervention from the Commission to ensure continuity of service.
Ugaia said that TSC’s core responsibility is to guarantee job security for serving teachers, while also ensuring fairness in the appointment process.
“We are sending a clear warning to all Provincial Education Boards (PEBs): the appointment process must never be used as a tool to discipline teachers. Displacement is not a disciplinary measure.”
He added that all provinces must have formal disciplinary committees to address conduct-related issues through lawful procedures, noting that priority will be given to protecting current teachers while allocating remaining vacancies to new graduates.
Meanwhile, TSC Commissioner for Policy, Dr. Charly Muke, called on Provincial Education Boards to urgently convene meetings to correct appointment lists before the Pay 9 auto-suspension takes effect.
“We must ensure that active, serving teachers are not wrongfully removed from the payroll due to administrative delays.”
To address ongoing concerns, the Commission has nullified recent appointment decisions in Hela, Gulf and Manus provinces, as well as in all national institutions.
Teachers in these areas will remain in their 2025 positions until proper processes are followed.
Affected teachers have been urged to report their cases to Provincial TSC Officers and submit required documentation, including their Oath of Loyalty, to TSC headquarters by March 27, 2026.
In addition, Provincial TSC, Salaries and Payroll Officers have been directed to immediately process TSC-approved tenure listings and Provincial Education Board-endorsed appointments through the Teachers Online Appointment Management System.
The Commission warned that strict compliance with TSC Circular 1 of 2026 and directives issued on December 12, 2025, is mandatory to avoid further disruption to the education system.
