The Ministry of Education has formally submitted a proposal to the Finance Division, requesting that these posts be reclassified as “non-vacation”.

If implemented, the change would mean that college teachers will no longer be entitled to the extended summer and winter breaks they have traditionally enjoyed.

The development was confirmed in a memorandum issued on Sunday (29 March) by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. Under the proposed arrangement, teachers would instead fall under the standard leave structure applicable to other government officials, with a fixed annual entitlement of 20 days of earned leave.

Officials within the ministry indicate that the move is intended to reduce prolonged unofficial leave and to ensure that education cadre officers remain more consistently engaged in both academic and administrative responsibilities. Previously, in addition to scheduled vacations, teachers often benefited from extended periods of leave when colleges remained closed, a practice that is now set to be discontinued.

The memorandum also notes that the leave provisions for “vacation staff” are defined under the Leave Rules of 1959. However, in light of present-day administrative realities, the Finance Ministry had earlier advised a review of this classification. Acting on that recommendation, the Ministries of Public Administration and Education have initiated steps to amend the relevant regulations.

In its review, the Ministry of Public Administration observed that formally designating the entire education sector as “non-vacation” may be administratively complex. Nevertheless, it suggested that a coordinated adjustment of recreation leave and earned leave on average pay for members of the BCS (General Education) and Technical Education cadres could provide a workable solution. The reform is ultimately aimed at aligning teachers’ benefits more closely with those of other government service holders.