Recent statistics from the Ministry of Education indicate that there are currently 580 teacher vacancies in primary schools across the nation, according to Fijian Teachers Association General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga. He highlighted that teachers are leaving the country in large numbers in search of better salaries and working conditions.
“We met with the Minister of Finance two months ago, but he doesn’t seem to grasp our situation,” Manumanunitoga stated. He emphasized the critical shortage of teachers, citing the ministry’s data on the 580 vacancies at the primary education level.
With approximately 736 primary schools in Fiji, he mentioned that each institution is short by two or three teachers. Last year, The Fiji Times reported that 172,023 students were enrolled in these primary schools, with 6,231 teacher positions filled and 184 positions unoccupied.
In addition, the 176 secondary schools are facing 610 vacancies, including 64 classroom teacher positions that remain open due to mismatches between subjects and the qualifications of graduates.
Manumanunitoga asserted that it is the government’s responsibility to tackle this issue. “I heard last week that they are now asking teacher trainees to go into the classrooms and teach. This is illegal,” he said. While he is uncertain about high schools, he noted there are 138 secondary schools in Fiji, according to the latest data from the ministry.
“Now and then, we receive calls from school leaders asking us to provide them with teachers,” he added, highlighting that the most critical need is for mathematics educators.