The general secretary of the Solomon Islands Teachers Association says a shortfall in teachers' travel allowances has stopped more than half of the country's teachers from going home at Christmas.
Walter Tesuatai says under agreed arrangements, the local government education authorities are to meet 50 per cent and the national government the other 50 per cent of the cost of teachers' leave passages.
But he says the ministry of education has only come up with a third of the one point six million US dollars required and the local education authorities with nothing.
The ministry could now take on the responsibility of paying teachers' leave passage and housing allowances along with their salary. The ministry should take over teachers' welfare.
Walter Tesuatai says this year has been very difficult for teachers, with many of them still awaiting pay relevelling dues.
