Students in Year 5 and 6 at Nawaisomo Primary School in Naitasiri have faced a concerning situation, with no dedicated teacher for five weeks. In light of this, parents have reached out to the Ministry of Education seeking clarity and immediate action. Currently, only three educators are tasked with managing multiple classes, leading to a lack of supervision for students, particularly during the absence of their designated teacher.
Parent Varinava Vatulawa expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the situation, emphasizing that the 13 students in Year 5 and 17 students in Year 6 are unprepared for impending assessments such as the Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LANA). Furthermore, he pointed out that many students lack basic school materials, which severely hampers their learning experience.
The situation reportedly arose after the appointment of a new head teacher last year. Despite the provision of a fully-furnished residence by the Ministry, the head teacher has been frequently absent, attending school only intermittently, leaving students without adequate supervision.
Attempts to obtain a response from Education Minister Aseri Radrodro regarding this matter have not been successful. The minister previously acknowledged a significant shortage of primary school teachers in the province, a problem rooted in systemic difficulties from earlier administrations. The Ministry is actively working to recruit qualified graduates to address these shortages, especially in primary education.
In addition, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association has called for urgent measures to not only tackle the teacher shortage but also address pressing infrastructural challenges at several northern schools. Immediate actions are crucial to support both students and teachers in these challenging circumstances.
These ongoing issues in the education sector highlight the critical need for governmental commitment toward resolving teacher shortages and enhancing classroom conditions. With focused attention and efforts, there is hope that fruitful solutions can be implemented, ensuring that students receive the quality education they deserve in a nurturing environment.
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