Luisa Peters-Tongatama, president of the Cook Islands Teachers Union, did very well to point out the corruption of the appointment of Owen Lewis to be Secretary of Education (Panel’s top choice ignored: Teachers Union questions Education Secretary appointment, January 18).

Lewis wasn’t selected by the panel because he offered nothing exceptional. He does not even compare to the local applicants full of experience in education in Papa’a prescriptions and are versed in Maori and Cook Islands nuances.

But Minister (Mac) Mokoroa blocked the appointment of the recommended person which is a known practice by the government these days, a reserve power they hold, to make the final, final decision. Never mind the integrity of the panel, an assortment of people that offer a number of perspectives from the interviews and assessment of the applicants.

Might as well just get rid of “selection panels”, in every government employment selection. What’s the point? It’s all an exercise on pretension.

Mokoroa says, Lewis is selected because it’s an “important and busy role” and I suppose the Maori applicants cannot handle it. And it is very clear that Mokoroa had no idea who were really doing the work that made former Secretary look good.

It boils down to corruption, favouritism and insults the applicants and the panel. Worse though it again spits in the face of efforts to up the drive for indigenous people.

Remember in past years the Teachers Union brought a previous CIP Government to its knees with strikes over pay, it can still stand its ground in the name of justice and teach the Minister a lesson.

“Tu ki Runga” (Name and address supplied)

The Government should give serious thought to reconsidering its decision to appoint Owen Lewis as the new Head of the Ministry of Education.

Don’t get me wrong, but recent report about his double dipping – working remotely as secretary general of CISNOC while carrying out contract work overseas – raises a lot of questions. And I am not sure about his performance at his previous roles.

I believe he would be more effective on boards than as a leader of any organisation. CISNOC has been hitting the papers recently, why? Leadership!

Isn’t there anyone better out there? What about someone like Debi Futter, Rod Dixon or Ani Piri. These are dedicated people to education.

Ministry of Education has suffered enough with inconsistent direction from their former Head of Ministry, why are we putting another one in? We need someone on the ground to develop and improve our education curriculum.

(Name and address supplied)