Education will be the central theme of the upcoming National Development Plan, which Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to unveil this week. Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad made this announcement during the commissioning of new classrooms at Dreketi Central College in Macuata, an event funded by the Embassy of Japan on Friday.
Professor Prasad emphasized that the new National Development Plan aims to empower the Fijian people through collective unity. “The Coalition Government is committed to enhancing the provision of quality education for our children,” he stated.
He noted that a key objective of the education sector is to ensure access to quality education and relevant programs at all levels. The national education summit held in September 2023 underscored the necessity for reforms and the introduction of new initiatives to reshape the education sector.
Furthermore, the Coalition Government is currently reviewing various pieces of legislation and policies that affect the education sector, ranging from early childhood to higher education, in partnership with development allies and international organizations. This includes updates to the Education Act of 1966 and the Examination Act of 1978, which are intended to establish a foundation for quality reform in the nation’s education system.
Professor Prasad also acknowledged the significance of faith-based and community organizations in advancing education in Fiji.