Fiji is currently confronting a significant educational crisis, with approximately 28 percent of youth of upper secondary age out of school. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro highlighted this issue at a recent high-level stakeholder engagement with the Tertiary Education Loan Service, focusing on the “No Learner Left Behind” initiative designed to address the country’s urgent social challenges.
Radrodro noted that these statistics equate to roughly 13,000 students, explaining that there is a concerning 39 percent dropout rate from Year 8 to Year 12. Additionally, about 23.7 percent of individuals aged 15 to 24 are neither engaged in education, employment, nor training. The minister emphasized that disconnecting from education heightens the risk of various social issues, including unemployment, crime, substance abuse, and mental health struggles.
“When young people disconnect from learning, we don’t just lose a student. We also increase the risk of wider social harm,” Radrodro stated. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment not only to identifying the problems but also to developing actionable solutions.
The approach builds on existing initiatives, such as the Matua Programme, which has provided second-chance education for over two decades. This program has demonstrated its effectiveness by strengthening families, fostering social inclusion, and significantly improving community well-being. Recent academic results show a remarkable improvement in the pass rate, which has increased from 88% in 2024 to 96% in 2025.
Ro Teimumu Kepa, Chair of the Tertiary Education Loan Service, expressed optimism regarding the potential expansion of the Matua Programme. She hopes the Ministry of Education will identify additional schools in urban, rural, maritime, and remote areas to capture dropouts, enabling them to re-engage with education.
The initiative intends to collaborate with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) partners, local administrators, community organizations, and employers to establish a national pathway system. This system aims to prevent dropouts, re-engage those currently out of school, and facilitate transitions into further education, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. This comprehensive approach could provide the necessary support for young people to thrive and contribute positively to society.
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