PM relinquishes Education & Training portfolio [1]
Monday, January 16, 2017 - 15:32. Updated on Monday, January 16, 2017 - 23:01.
Prime Minster, Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva has relinquished his Education and Training ministerial portfolio to Hon. Penisimani Fifita from today, 16 January 2017. The PM becomes Minister of Internal Affairs.
The Ministerial re-assignments were granted by HM King Tupou VI on Friday, 13 January 2017, after receiving recommendations by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister may assign and re-assign ministries to and amongst Cabinet Ministers as allowed under the Tongan Constitution Clause 51 (4).
Hon. Pohiva retains the Foreign Affairs portfolio in addition to his new role as Minister for Internal Affairs.
Hon Penisimani Fifita, was assigned Internal Affairs Minister last October 2016, when he replaced Fe’ao Vakata who was dismissed after throwing a wine glass at a female director.
He now takes on the role of Minister of Education and Training and will have to deal with the “Raw Mark” examination system implemented by his predecessor last year, which has caused much angst and criticism by Tongan education professionals.