Vanuatu: Government agrees to resolve teacher strike with payments

Since June 2024, members of the Vanuatu Teacher Union have been on strike regarding delayed pay entitlements dating as far back as 18 years (see SPI 3, 31 August-11 September 2024). On 11 October, the Vanuatu Government had approved up to VT1Billion ($NZD14million) each year until the outstanding claims are resolved. The Acting Minister of Education called on teachers to now return to their classrooms. As of 23 October, some teachers remain on strike.

Assessment: The Minister of Education has informed schools that examinations will be delayed by two weeks, indicating that enough teachers have returned to allow the school curriculum to continue. Teacher’s remaining on strike are likely to be those who have are seeking resolution to additional individual issues outside the overarching back payments issue. Strike action has remained peaceful, with Police continuing to report that minor incidents have occurred around Port Vila due to the increase in unsupervised children.