PM Marape calls for stronger collaboration to elevate teacher standards and salaries

Prime Minister James Marape has called on the governors of respective provinces to work with the National Education Department and advisors of the provincial education boards and improve the teaching profession.

Mr Marape said teaching is a noble career and teachers must be among the best-paid public servants in the country.

"When I was Education minister in 2010, I made a statement that teachers must be paid based on their qualifications, not on where they are teaching. If there is a master's teaching holder who wants to teach elementary, he must be paid as a master's teacher in teaching elementary and all levels.

"Teachers must be amongst the highest paid and best disciplined public servants in our country.

"We work in this space, so governors, you will be needed in this space.

"We don't want betelnut stained teachers, dreadlocked teachers, we don't not well-dressed teachers, we want good quality teachers, we are willing to pay them a top salary," Marape said.

The prime minister urged every Governor to take into consideration how they will improve teacher's welfare.