Fiji: Faster filling of vacant primary school posts urged as HR reform underway
The Fiji Head Teachers Association president, Johnson Rura, says the turnaround time for filling vacant posts in primary schools is too slow. He criticized the Education Ministry’s human resources feedback loop, saying information can take weeks or even months to reach heads of schools and urging the HR section to improve its responsiveness.
A vacant primary school post places additional pressure on current staff, Rura noted. When a class is left without a teacher, another teacher must shift to cover, adding to an already heavy workload for those in charge of multiple classes. He also called for Education Ministry HR officers to be readily accessible when teachers visit the ministry’s headquarters in Suva.
Responding to the concerns, acting Human Resources Unit director Taniela Domoni said the team is reviewing HR policies to boost service efficiency. “We take responsibility for that,” he stated. In his first weeks in office, Domoni emphasized his understanding of field needs and pledged action. “We are working on that. Their grievances concerning this are fully noted.”
Domoni outlined a restructuring plan intended to improve access: the ministry would amalgamate all HR units into a single sector within Marela House at headquarters, consolidating the six different HR units into one hub to ensure easier access for teachers who come to the ministry.
Context and implications
The report sits within a broader debate over teacher recruitment and retention in Fiji, a theme echoed by unions and teachers’ associations in recent months. Similar discussions have highlighted calls for faster advertising of vacant positions, clearer recruitment processes, and better support for teacher shortages across critical areas such as primary education and STEM. At the same time, ministry and union leaders have stressed the importance of adhering to established civil service procedures to ensure qualified staffing while addressing shortages.
Possible next steps for editors and readers
– Track the timeline for the HR amalgamation and any operational milestones at Marela House.
– Seek details on how the new structure will shorten turnaround times for vacancy advertisements, postings, and approvals.
– RequestMetrics or targets for reducing information delays and improving classroom staffing, and explore whether pilot implementations are planned in select regions.
– Follow up with broader workforce reforms discussed at recent conferences, including mentoring programs for new graduates and incentives to retain experienced teachers and school leaders.
Editor’s note
The move to consolidate HR functions aims to streamline access for teachers and shorten delays that stall classroom staffing. If successfully implemented, this could ease workloads on school leaders and reduce periods when classrooms go understaffed, benefiting students and teachers alike. The exchange also reflects a wider push across Fiji’s education sector to balance the need for experienced leadership with robust recruitment, transparent processes, and timely support for schools in both urban and rural areas.
Summary or outlook
While challenges around teacher shortages and administrative efficiency persist, the announced plan to centralize HR services represents a concrete step toward faster responses to vacancy postings and better frontline support for schools. The outcome will depend on concrete timelines, effective integration of the HR units, and measurable improvements in service delivery.
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