A shift in the Ministry of Education’s CEO position last month has been decided after CEO Claude Tupou was not happy with some of the clauses in his proposed contract, the Prime Minister’s Office said today.
It was announced on March 30 that Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva who is also the Minister of Education and Training has appointed Ponapate Taunisila as Acting CEO.
It said Tupou who held the position since February 16 was reverted to his previous position as Deputy CEO for Secondary Schools.
Tupou was temporally holding the acting position while works to complete his appointment as CEO were in process.
The Office said the Prime Minister and the Public Service Commission agreed Tupou has to be removed from the position so that negotiations continued independently before a final decision will be made.
“This will give Mr. Tupou the independence to pursue and settle his dissatisfaction and at the [sametime] the Ministry’s operation to continue under the leadership of Mr. Taunisila. This decision has been discussed with all parties concerned”, the Office said.
Tupou was recommended by a panel to become the ministry’s CEO but this was rejected by the Minister.
Tupou took the Minister and the Ministry to the tribunal and he won it.
Hon Pōhiva endorsed the tribunal’s decision but he later found out Tupou was not happy with some of the clauses in his contract.
“These issues are still discussed and no consensus has been reached,” the Office said.
“The Public Service Commission is continuing with the appointment process to the position of CEO for Education and Training”.
