The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) has voiced opposition to the Ministry of Education’s proposal to impose school fees on students.
FTU General Secretary Muniappa Goundar believes this measure would undermine the goal of providing compulsory education to all students.
“It will defeat the right of a child to quality education,” Mr. Goundar stated.
Acknowledging the challenges due to rural-to-urban migration of students, he offered several solutions to address the issue.
Mr. Goundar proposed enhancing rural education infrastructure by investing in buildings and upgrading schools in these areas to create a conducive learning environment for rural students.
Improving teacher incentives is another key strategy he advocated.
He emphasized the need for higher pay, housing allowances, and career advancement opportunities for teachers in rural schools.
“Teachers should be given priority in rural areas,” he said.
Mr. Goundar also highlighted the importance of advancing technology in rural schools to engage students.
“Rural schools must have access to modern technology and internet facilities,” he added.
He stressed the necessity for the ministry to develop a quality curriculum and distribute high-quality educational materials to rural schools to ensure they offer the same standard of education as urban schools.
“The ministry must distribute quality educational materials and resources to rural schools,” Mr. Goundar reiterated.
Community engagement programs were also identified as vital tools to reduce migration from rural areas.
Mr. Goundar advocated for programs that involve parents and community leaders in the education process to create a supportive environment for students.
Awareness campaigns highlighting the benefits of rural education and local opportunities should be conducted, according to Mr. Goundar.
He also called for the monitoring and evaluation of rural education initiatives to ensure their effectiveness and to make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.
Efforts to get comments from Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) General Secretary Paula Manumanuitoga were unsuccessful.
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