Efforts are intensifying in the Ba Province to provide training opportunities for thousands of school dropouts as community leaders confront what is being labeled an education crisis. According to Adi Sivia Qoro, president of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei ni Yasana Ko Ba (SSViT), the number of young individuals exiting the education system is alarmingly high, necessitating a significant effort to reintegrate them into training, employment, or entrepreneurial ventures.
The alarming statistic reveals that between 2018 and 2023, Ba Province experienced 22,000 school dropouts, prompting the organization to seek immediate intervention. At a recent annual general meeting held in Lautoka, Adi Sivia highlighted the importance of the ongoing education project, which aims to tackle this pressing issue throughout the province.
Launched in collaboration with Bread for the World last year, the initiative has successfully secured funding to continue its work for an additional three years. The project involves partnerships with the Fiji National University (FNU) and the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, focusing on gaining insights into the extent and underlying causes of school dropouts. A report detailing three pilot districts has been completed and reviewed by the organization.
Looking ahead, the program is set to broaden its scope this year with renewed partnerships, specifically with the Fiji College of Agriculture and continued cooperation with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, to enhance community-based training efforts. Adi Sivia emphasized that the initiative aims for three key outcomes for students who exit the education system: reintegration into formal education, launching their own businesses following training, or utilizing their resources effectively to foster independence.
The successful implementation of these training programs may not only provide at-risk youths with essential skills but also contribute positively to the community as these individuals begin to reintegrate, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, or leverage their personal resources. The collective effort to address this education crisis reflects a hopeful commitment to empowering the younger generation in Ba Province.
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