The free education initiative was celebrated as a groundbreaking policy designed to give every child the chance to finish their education without facing financial hardships. However, recent statistics reveal a concerning situation: from 2019 to 2023, there have been 5,726 secondary school dropouts and 4,589 primary school students not registered.
Although the Ministry of Education has taken positive steps, such as providing transport assistance and vocational training pathways, these troubling figures highlight a significant issue—parents are not fulfilling their responsibilities towards their children’s education.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro’s comments in Parliament should have prompted serious reflection among families across Fiji. With the government offering free schooling, textbooks, and transportation support, the existence of thousands of dropouts raises critical questions.
The reasons given for this trend—migration, family issues, or the pursuit of employment—are often just surface-level explanations masking a more profound problem: the failure to recognize the importance of education and the future of Fiji’s youth. There’s a tendency among some parents to attribute the decline to external factors rather than acknowledging their own impact on the situation.
When families do not emphasize the significance of education, the consequences are severe, leading to generations of children at risk for a future filled with lost opportunities and struggles.
Reverend Simione Tugi’s urgent inquiries raise essential concerns: “If this is what we are observing, what can we expect next? Will we see an increase in youth engaging in criminal activities?” These questions are becoming increasingly relevant, as the nation confronts the challenge of rising dropout rates and disillusioned youth.
It is crucial for parents to become proactive, dedicating time and energy to prioritize their children’s education. The government has upheld its commitments; now it is the parents’ turn to do the same.