The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has urged the Government to revise the Draft Education Bill to better address the unique challenges faced by iTaukei students, specifically boys and those from rural backgrounds. Speaking to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, GCC education committee chairman Iosefa Volau emphasized the need for an updated approach that reflects current realities rather than simply modifying outdated legislation.
Volau highlighted concerning statistics, stating that roughly 20 percent of students drop out by Year 12, with boys and rural children disproportionately affected. Between Year 8 and Year 12, dropout rates for boys stand at 31 percent, while only 9 percent of girls drop out. He attributed these alarming trends to broader social issues, including the fact that iTaukei individuals constitute between 70 to 82 percent of drug-related crime offenses, underscoring the connection between education and social stability.
In response, the GCC suggested that the Bill should outline its purpose clearly and recognize the council’s role as the custodian of the vanua—land, people, and culture—in guiding educational policies. GCC representative Susana Tuisawau raised pressing concerns about the removal of ethnic identifiers from official records, stating that the absence of disaggregated data hampers efforts to identify and support the most vulnerable students.
Tuisawau also pointed out the detrimental effects of overcrowded classrooms and inadequate teacher-student ratios, which lead to behavioral issues and safety hazards. She noted, “Some desks come right up to the blackboards. That is a safety issue for students’ eyes and for teachers.” Volau added that headteachers face difficulties in maintaining discipline due to restricted disciplinary measures, which undermines deterrents against serious misconduct.
GCC committee member Emitai Boladuadua emphasized the disconnect between the constitutional promises of free education and the reality faced by families. Many iTaukei households, which represent 75 percent of those living in extreme poverty, encounter extra costs for uniforms, meals, and fundraising, making the constitutional guarantee more theoretical than practical.
“Free education should not just be a constitutional right, but a tangible reality,” Boladuadua asserted. The committee recommended the inclusion of fair assessment practices and equitable student opportunities within the Bill. Another member, Salote Rabuka, advocated for scaling marks in external examinations to ensure fairness and transparency for all students seeking higher education.
Rabuka also expressed concern over the lack of provisions in the Bill for girls who become pregnant while in school, calling for explicit guarantees of equitable opportunities for these students.
The GCC voiced apprehensions about the proposed penalties for parents whose children fail to attend school, arguing that factors such as poverty, distance, and accessibility can inhibit attendance. Tuisawau said, “The notion that you can impose a compulsory $200 is not sufficient for a poor parent to get their children to school each day.”
While Volau acknowledged the need for parental responsibility, he cautioned against the idea that completely free education might diminish this responsibility. “You only value things that you pay for. If you don’t pay, usually you don’t value it,” he stated.
The discussions held by the GCC highlight a collaborative approach towards improving educational outcomes for iTaukei students, with an emphasis on targeted solutions that recognize cultural contexts and social challenges. By addressing these issues systematically, there’s hope for a brighter educational future for all students in Fiji.
Leave a comment