Teacher Exit from the
Teaching Service
The formal cessation of a teacher's employment, managed by the TSC in accordance with the Teaching Service Act (Part IX) with fairness, transparency, and due process.
A teacher may voluntarily resign from the Teaching Service at any time by submitting their request by filling TSC Form 38. All resignations are processed by the TSC Industrial Relation Branch.
- Minimum 1 month written notice
- Notice may be waived by the Commission in exceptional circumstances
- Minimum 2 weeks written notice
- Same waiver conditions apply
Section 122 Warning: A teacher who resigned under Section 122 of the Teaching Service Act on or after 1 January 2022 is permanently barred from re-admission to the Teaching Service. All other resignees remain eligible for re-admission subject to TSC Re-Admission Policy conditions.
- Retirement age is 60 years
- TSC initiates proceedings automatically
- PEA submits notification 6 months prior to teacher's 60th birthday
- Teacher entitled to all accrued leave and benefits
- Minimum 25 years continuous pensionable service
- Application submitted to TSC through PEA
- Approved at discretion of the Commission
- Full entitlements apply upon approval
Retired teachers are entitled to process their benefits through Nambawan Super Fund. The TSC issues a Certificate of Service upon retirement confirming total years of service, which is a mandatory requirement for pension processing.
Dismissal is an involuntary exit resulting from disciplinary proceedings under Part V of the Teaching Service Act. The Commission is bound by law to observe full due process before any dismissal is effected.
- Serious misconduct or insubordination
- Criminal conviction
- Abuse or neglect of students
- Extended AWOL beyond prescribed period
- Fraud, corruption, or misuse of public funds
- Conduct unbecoming of a teacher
- Formal Notice to Show Cause must be issued
- Teacher given 21 days to respond in writing
- Full Commission sitting to consider the matter
- Written decision issued to teacher
- Right of appeal to the Teaching Service Tribunal
Consequences of Dismissal: A dismissed teacher forfeits all entitlements accrued from the date of dismissal and is gazetted accordingly. Dismissed teachers are permanently ineligible for re-admission to the Teaching Service.
All newly appointed teachers serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months before confirmation of appointment. During this period, the Commission may terminate employment where required.
Termination during probation does not carry the same penalties as dismissal. Affected teachers retain eligibility to apply for re-admission to the Teaching Service subject to standard policy conditions.
A teacher may exit the Teaching Service on medical grounds where certified by a registered medical officer as permanently incapacitated and unable to continue teaching duties. Medical separations are processed with full confidentiality and dignity.
Teachers separated on medical grounds remain eligible for re-admission to the Teaching Service if they subsequently recover and meet fitness-for-duty requirements, subject to the TSC Re-Admission Policy.
Upon the death of a serving teacher, the Teaching Service is formally exited by operation of law. The TSC works closely with the Provincial Education Authority, school administration, and the teacher's family to ensure all matters are handled promptly and with full dignity.
A teacher who is absent without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of 10 or more working days without satisfactory explanation may be deemed to have abandoned their duties and treated as having resigned under Section 24 of the Teaching Service Act.
A teacher deemed to have resigned under Section 24 may apply for re-admission to the Teaching Service subject to standard re-admission policy conditions, unlike a dismissed teacher who is permanently barred.
All entitlements are subject to confirmation of clean clearance from the Department of Finance, Nambawan Super, and the teacher's Provincial Education Authority.
| Exit Type | Leave Payout | Gratuity | Pension | Re-Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resignation | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ⚠ Conditions |
| Compulsory Retirement | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ Age limit |
| Early Retirement | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Dismissal | ✗ No | ✗ Forfeited | ✗ Forfeited | ✗ Permanent bar |
| Probation Termination | ⚠ Partial | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Medical Separation | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ⚠ If recovered |
| Death in Service | ✓ Estate | ✓ Estate | ✓ Death benefit | N/A |
| Deemed Resignation (s.24) | ✓ Yes | ⚠ Partial | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Anti-Corruption Notice: The TSC operates with zero tolerance for corruption in the processing of teacher exits. Any officer demanding payment or favours in exchange for processing exit documentation will be reported to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea.
Information is issued under the Teaching Service Act (Chapter 163) and is subject to amendment by the Commission.
For enquiries, contact the Industrial Relation Branch or your TSC Office.