Investigations into the Delayed Payment of Allowances and Issuance of Appointment Letters to Eligible Teachers at the Ministry of Education

Teachers who had not received their telephone, traveling, coverall allowances, ex gratia awards, and letters of appointment took industrial action. 

On the 12th day of May 2025, the Public Service Commission met with the Union of Teachers’ Executive, the Chief Establishment Officer, the Accountant General, the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Education, and her Accounting Clerk to discuss the matter at hand.

They were informed by the Chairman of the Commission that the Public Service Commission had instituted an Investigation to identify the cause of the delay in the non-payment of allowances and the issuance of letters of appointment to eligible teachers at the Ministry of Education. 

The Chairperson of the Investigative Committee is a Senior Attorney in the state of Antigua and Barbuda. The other member formerly held positions of Chief Establishment Officer, Cabinet Secretary, and Ombudswoman. The final person appointed to the Committee is a retired Permanent Secretary, Chief Establishment Officer, and Cabinet Secretary.

The Terms of Reference were outlined to the said Committee, which identified the methodology to be used in carrying out the Investigation, which includes but was not limited to document review, interview with key personnel and stakeholders, the carrying out of an analysis of the timelines agreed with the stakeholders, examination of potential systematic issues, and data analysis of relevant timelines and performance indicators.

If it is established that there was any negligence or dereliction of duty on the part of senior officers at the Ministry of Education or the Chief Establishment Officer and staff at the Establishment Department.

In that case, the Committee is to make a recommendation(s) as to whether or not disciplinary proceedings should be taken against those officers who failed to perform their duties as required by Law. The Committee is also tasked with making recommendations necessary to prevent any recurrence in the future.

The final report will be submitted to the Public Service Commission within a minimum of three (3) months from the commencement of the Investigation.