776 teachers from 441 schools, 331 from the Health Ministry and 300 civil servants from the Works, Public Utilities and Energy Ministry who are 55 years and over will be going home tomorrow under the State Services Decree.

The teachers figures had been confirmed by Education Minister Filipe Bole who said the Ministry's Personnel Section will be responsible for informing retirees about their positions.

He could not confirm how many teachers were 55 and over, and who would be retained on a contract basis.

Bole said they are already in the process of recruiting teachers to fill the vacant positions and at the same time the ministry is looking at strategically reducing the number of teachers in the establishment so that by the beginning of Term 2, about 200 new teachers will be recruited.

Meanwhile, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Salanieta Saketa had confirmed that they are now liaising with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to employ some new graduate nurses soon, following the retirement of some nurses this Thursday.