Employment Tribunal has ordered the reinstatement of two teachers that were terminated “unlawfully” by the Gaafu Alifu Atoll Education Center.

The two, with over 15 years of experience, were fired from the Gaafu Alifu Atoll Education Center in early 2018. Leading teacher Zulfina Ahmed is the wife of Villingilli island’s council president Musthafa Mohamed while primary teacher Hidhaayath Ahmed is the wife of former council member Fathuhee Moosa; the council has a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) majority.

They were terminated after being kept under suspension, with claims of failure to contribute to school work and talking politics at the school premises.

While the issue was filed at the Employment Tribunal last October, it ruled to reinstate the two in April, noting that they were fired against Employment Act and without prior notice.

It also ordered the school to provide them full salary and allowances from the date of termination, within 14 days of the ruling.

However, while it has been 19 days since the ruling, the Gaafu Alifu Atoll Education Center is yet to follow it.