Year 5 and 6 students at Nawaisomo Primary School in Naitasiri have not had a dedicated teacher for five weeks, raising concerns from parents who are seeking answers from the Ministry of Education. Currently, only three teachers are managing multiple classes, including Year 5 and 6, leaving students to fend for themselves when their designated teacher is absent.
Parent Varinava Vatulawa expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting that there are 13 Year 5 and 17 Year 6 students who are not adequately prepared for upcoming assessments, such as the Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LANA). He noted that many students are lacking essential schoolwork materials, which impacts their learning significantly.
The difficulties seem to stem from a change last year when a new head teacher was appointed. Despite being provided with a fully-furnished teacher’s residence by the ministry, the head teacher has been frequently absent from school, only attending occasionally and leaving the students unsupervised.
Questions directed to Education Minister Aseri Radrodro regarding this issue have not received a response. The minister has previously acknowledged a widespread shortage of primary school teachers within the province, a challenge attributed to systemic issues inherited from prior administrations. The ministry is actively seeking to recruit qualified graduates to fill these gaps, particularly in primary education.
Moreover, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association has called for immediate action to resolve not only the shortage of teachers but also long-standing infrastructural issues affecting several northern schools. Urgent interventions are necessary to support both students and teachers enduring difficult circumstances.
The ongoing challenges in the education sector underscore the pressing need for governmental commitment to resolve teacher shortages and improve classroom conditions. There is hope that with increased attention and effort, solutions can be found to ensure that students receive the education they deserve in a supportive environment.
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