Education Minister Aseri Radrodro used his Palm Sunday message to urge students, parents and teachers across Fiji to pause, reflect and recommit to kindness, unity and service within schools and communities.
Radrodro called on students to give thanks for their families, teachers and friends and to learn from one another “how to care and serve.” Speaking in the context of Palm Sunday, the minister highlighted the value of diversity in classrooms, noting that students and educators from many different backgrounds strengthen the learning environment and remind Fijians of the importance of working together.
Quoting the gospel account, Radrodro said Jesus welcomed the praises of children and showed that “true worship comes from a humble heart.” “By choosing children to celebrate His coming, Jesus shows us that true worship comes from a humble heart. He also reminds us that our children have an important place in God’s plan. This Palm Sunday, let us see in our young ones a gift of joy and hope,” the minister said, framing youth as central to spiritual life and community values.
The minister’s message was aimed not only at students but at the adults who shape them. “To parents and teachers, your role in the lives of your students is powerful. Your hard work and dedication help shape their dreams and their future,” Radrodro said, urging caregivers and educators to “keep the spirit of service alive in your classrooms and in your homes.” He linked that sustained spirit of service to building hope, peace, unity and love for children across the country.
Radrodro stressed practical virtues—kindness, teamwork and gratitude—that he said could be reinforced day-to-day in schools. He encouraged everyone to actively commit to cultivating positivity, arguing that an environment grounded in mutual care benefits academic learning as well as social cohesion.
The minister’s remarks arrive at a time when educational leaders increasingly emphasize the social as well as academic role of schools. By invoking Palm Sunday and the image of children’s praise, Radrodro framed moral and spiritual education as a shared responsibility that involves families and teachers alongside formal schooling.
While the message did not outline specific new policies or programs, it serves as a public appeal from the Education Ministry to prioritise unity and support for young people. Radrodro’s call for collective action — centring children as sources of joy and hope — is intended to reinforce community bonds and the everyday practices that help schools become more inclusive and nurturing spaces.
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