The general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, Paula Manumanunitoga, is calling for immediate action from the Public Service Commission regarding ongoing issues at three schools in the North: Valelawa Primary School, Yadua Village School, and Laucala District School. These schools have unresolved problems with their classroom facilities that have persisted for many years.
Manumanunitoga highlighted that some students are still instructed in makeshift tents, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention as both students and teachers are enduring difficult conditions. He questioned accountability for the situation, urging the Minister for Education and his Permanent Secretary to expedite a solution.
He also stressed the significance of political commitment from the government and suggested that it is the minister’s responsibility to ensure that directives are enforced by the Permanent Secretary’s office.
Additionally, Manumanunitoga called for collaboration, stating that there appear to be unresolved conflicts between the minister’s office and the Permanent Secretary, which are adversely affecting the education system as a whole.
These conflicts have led to several issues, including delays in free education grants, unresolved appointments for teachers and school staff, and unaddressed teacher shortages, alongside pending salary upgrades.
An attempt to reach Education Minister Aseri Radrodro and Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca via email on October 2 regarding the ongoing classroom situation at Valelawa Primary School has not yet yielded a response.