A working board to address grievances of Tonga Government school teachers met for the first time today, just in time to head off threatened strike action by some teachers at the start of the new school term.

Fotu Fisi‘’iahi, the President of the Public Servants Association (PSA) said that a meeting yesterday between the PSA and the Minister and the Director of Education, and their deputies had agreed to form a Working Board with three members each from the ministry and the PSA.

Fotu also said that from their point of view a strike was now unlikely to take place as teachers had expressed to him their feeling of satisfaction regarding the negotiations done with the Ministry of Education so far.

Representing the PSA are teachers Finau Tutone, Velangilala Tava and Vaivai Folau Kailahi. The alternative members are Fotu Fisi‘’iahi, Mele ‘‘Amanaki and ‘‘Ativeniani Pomana also a teacher.

The representatives from the Ministry of Education have not been confirmed but members to the board are believed to be the Director of Education Viliami Takau and his deputies who met with PSA representatives today.

PSA not FITA

The contention with membership was the demand by the ministry for representatives of the Friendly Island Teachers' Association to be members of the Board, while the PSA demanded that PSA members must be in the board.

There appeared to be a compromise. Mele ‘Amanaki clarified today that this issue had been settled and the Ministry had accepted their decision submitted that the teachers would be represented to the board by PSA members. Even though two of their board members are primary and secondary school teachers and one alternative member also a teacher.

Mele said this was simply because it was PSA who wrote and submitted the teachers'’ letter of grievances to the Ministry and not FITA.

Government schools are to commence their new school year next week on February 6.