The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) with Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) had the first negotiation on addressing teachers’ pay increments, allowances and other issues concerning the wellbeing of the teachers in the country. Executives from PNGTA brought a working document to present it to TSC for comments which would later be presented to the Department of Personal Management (DPM) for action. PNGTA National Vice President Mr. Shenell Kou when doing his presentation said some of the issues captured in the document include, teachers housing allowances, teachers’ salary fixation, teachers training and other important issues. “The document that we have given you is a working document, once this meeting is over, we can take the suggestions from you, to take that into consideration and change whatever you want to change in this document, so that other meetings will be called for discussion forward.” “If a teacher is committed that means he is satisfied, if the teacher is secured, he knows that his position is properly done and he is paid at a proper salary level, then he knows that his job is secured.” Kou added that quality education means quality teachers. “In this negotiation we are saying whatever agreement we had in 2016 to 2017, we leave it as that, we do not want to increase any percentage. The percentage you have decided remains. However, we have calculated from 2020 -2025 based on the figures we have for 2016 and 2017 that is contained in the document. In addition, Kou stated that the base salary and the teaching service allowances are the same because the country is experiencing a down turn of the economy. “We need to work together and say we are not asking very much, we leave it as it is but once the economy picks up, we can negotiate.” Meanwhile, TSC Chairman, Mr. Samson Wangihomie, after receiving the document said that the TSC will have a look at the issues highlighted and comment. After commenting on the document, TSC and PNGTA will continue the discussions and negotiations until an agreement is reached. Wangihomie assured that TSC will work together with PNGTA to make sure teachers’ issues are being addressed properly. The meeting was held recently in Port Moresby at the Vulupindi Haus.