A peaceful protest took place in Lakatoro, Malekula today as over 50 teachers continued their call for the government to establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The demonstration follows the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike.

VBTC’s Malampa correspondent, Robsen Ruru, reports that teachers from across the island were joined by students and community members from North East, North West, Central, and South East Malekula.

Mr. Ruru said, “Malampa Province teachers, students, and communities stood this morning to do a friendly protest march to the Malampa headquarters. An instruction came from the Minister to stop the protest that was made this morning. Now teachers and communities are just standing with banners to make a stand protest to the government at the Malampa headquarters.”

He added that the peaceful protest involved teachers from schools including Walarano, Lakatoro, Norsup, and Melvet.

“The teachers around are part of the peaceful protest and schools that are part include Walarano, Lakatoro, Norsup, and Melvet School — around 50 to 60 teachers and community members are participating,” Mr. Ruru said.

The teachers are demanding the government formally recognise and agree to a CBA — a legal framework that would define their working conditions, salaries, and employment rights.