Bill for the Teaching Service (Amendment) ACT NO. OF 2024 is among the 28 bills that will go to parliament in its coming second ordinary session.

According to the bill’s Explanatory Note, the Bill will amend the Teaching Service Act No. 38 of 2013.

It says the amendments are necessary to enable the Teaching Service Commission (“the TSC”) and the Ministry of the Education and Training to work collaboratively to ensure the role and responsibilities of school administrators, educators and learners are achieved as provided for in the Ministry’s Corporate Plan and the National Sustainable Development Plan 2030.

This amendment will see the replacement of the Executive Officer of the Vanuatu National Training Council with the Director Policy and Planning of the Ministry of Education and Training as a member of the TSC.

It will also enable the Office of the Director General to advertise the position of the Chairperson when it is vacant and when the position of the Chairperson is vacant, the Head of State may, on the recommendation of the Minister, appoint an Acting Chairperson from amongst the existing members of the Commission.

The bill will not only provide powers to the TSC to appoint teachers and principals in all government and assisted non-government schools but also empowers the TSC to appoint other staff, including early childhood education teachers and other youth and adult education environments as required.

Finally, the amendment will see that the Secretary and other staff of the Commission will be subject to the directions of the Commission. The Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Simil Johnson will table the bill when parliament convenes to debate it.