A former director of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council (SAAC), Misaele Driubalavu, has urged for a comprehensive study on the hours that boarding school teachers in Fiji spend supervising extracurricular activities. This call came during public consultations for the Education Review Act of 1966 held in Suva.
Driubalavu, who served as the SAAC director from 2003 to 2015 and has firsthand experience as a secondary school teacher, stressed the lack of data regarding teachers’ extensive duties outside their regular classroom responsibilities. During his tenure at a large government secondary school, he supervised over 300 boys in addition to teaching 30 class periods each week. He expressed concerns about the pressures and stress teachers face from managing not only educational duties but a variety of extracurricular responsibilities including sports, cultural events, and other activities.
By gathering specific statistics on the hours teachers take on these additional roles, Driubalavu believes the Ministry of Education will better understand the challenges faced by these educators. This data could lead to vital support and resources for teachers who often feel overwhelmed by their workload.
In relation to broader discussions about the conditions teachers face, recent articles have highlighted ongoing concerns about teacher welfare in Fiji, particularly regarding issues such as absenteeism and the impact of student substance use on classroom environments. The Minister of Education, Aseri Radrodro, has addressed these challenges by proposing reviews of teachers’ working hours and the importance of maintaining positive working conditions to support educators in their roles.
Efforts are being made to create a more supportive educational environment, advocating for teachers’ well-being while aiming to improve overall educational outcomes for students. This focus on teacher support and reduced workload could pave the way for enhanced job satisfaction and effectiveness in fostering student learning.
The dialogue surrounding teacher responsibilities points to a vital step toward recognizing and addressing the burdens they carry, with the potential for significant improvements in the educational landscape across Fiji.
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