PORT MORESBY – The Acting Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), Mr. Maini Mike Ugaia has issued a formal clarification regarding retired teachers who continue to live in school accommodation.

The Commission emphasizes that these houses belong to the schools and the Division of Education.

While the TSC appreciates the long service of these teachers, these homes must be made available for teachers who are currently working.

Under standard rules, teachers are expected to leave school housing within six months of their retirement.

Mr. Ugaia noted that many retirees stay because they are waiting for their repatriation money to be paid.

However, the law states that if a claim is not made within five to six years, the right to that payment may be lost to the State. 

The Commission is working to fix the delays in repatriation payments. A recent batch of 570 retirees has been sent to the Treasury for payment since 2025. This includes some cases in the National Capital District (NCD) where teachers have been waiting since 2004.

To solve this issue permanently, Chairman Ugaia is calling on the Treasury Department to make funds available to pay repatriation benefits immediately upon retirement. The goal is for retirees to receive all their money at once so they can move home immediately, rather than staying in school houses to follow up on their funds.

“Our position is based on fairness,” the Chairman stated. “We must support those who have served our country, but once they are paid, they must vacate the premises to allow the next generation of teachers to have a place to live.”