K19.5 million released to 570 retired teachers in PNG

The Department of Treasury has released a total of K19.5 million as final entitlements and repatriation payments to 570 retired teachers in Papua New Guinea.

The Teaching Service Commission confirmed and shared this long-awaited news with the retirees last Thursday.

TSC Commissioner for Operations, Maini Mike Ugaia, thanked the Department of Treasury for facilitating this payment

He said this is the third batch of retiree payments.

Mr Ugaia added that the 570 retirees will receive their payments before the end of this year. He explained that the process has been slow due to the involvement of multiple agencies and the need for careful due diligence.”

However, he assured them that retirees would now receive their entitlements.

Mr Ugaia clarified that the repatriation payment applies only to retired teachers, not resigned teachers.

He explained that, due to the lengthy time frame and challenges faced by retired teachers, TSC’s involvement since 2024 aims to resolve issues among teachers, provinces, and Treasury.

Mr Ugaia said, currently TSC’s Industrial Team is working on the next batch of retiree's entitlements. Once it is done, the files will be sent to the Treasury Department for funding.

The Teaching Service Commission thanked the retirees for their years of service to Papua New Guinea and for their patience in waiting for their entitlements to be paid