Recent figures from the Ministry of Education indicate there are 580 teacher vacancies in primary schools across the country, according to Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association. He highlighted that a significant number of teachers are leaving for positions abroad, seeking better salaries and working conditions.
Manumanunitoga expressed concern over the situation, noting that during a meeting with the Minister of Finance two months ago, there was a lack of understanding regarding the issues teachers face. He emphasized that there is a critical shortage of educators, with each of the approximately 736 primary schools in Fiji lacking two to three teachers.
Last year’s data reported 172,023 students enrolled in these primary schools, with 6,231 teaching positions filled and 184 remaining vacant. Meanwhile, there are 176 secondary schools facing 610 vacancies, including 64 classroom teacher positions unfilled due to mismatches in subject qualifications.
Manumanunitoga insisted it is the Government’s responsibility to rectify this shortage, raising concerns about recent reports of teacher trainees being asked to teach in classrooms, which he deemed illegal. He noted the severe need for mathematics teachers and confirmed that 138 secondary schools are also facing challenges in staffing. There are frequent requests from school leaders for additional teaching staff to address these gaps.