The government has revealed a concerning trend of increasing school dropout rates from 2019 to 2023, despite the provision of free education. This alarming situation has led the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, along with teachers’ unions and the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, to urge parents, guardians, and community members to place a greater emphasis on education in Fiji.
In a recent Parliament session, Mr. Radrodro reported that 5,726 students did not complete Year 10 during the four-year period, which averages out to approximately 1,431 dropouts each year. Moreover, 4,589 primary school students were found to be unregistered in schools, as indicated by data from the Ministry’s Fiji Education Management Information System Database (FEMIS).
While the exact reasons for these dropouts have not been fully documented, some disclosed factors include deaths, migration, transfers from public to private schools, and medical issues.
The Ministry has been proactive in addressing the situation by collaborating with school leaders to perform home visits and offer counseling to students who are considered “at-risk” in hopes of encouraging them to stay in school. Nonetheless, various factors such as familial issues, migration, and entry into the workforce have been recognized as significant contributors to the increasing dropout rates. Mr. Radrodro emphasized the necessity for a collective response from government bodies, civil society, religious groups, and families to tackle this pressing issue.
To mitigate the dropout rates, the Ministry has implemented several strategies, including:
– Creating alternative pathways through Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and micro-skills training.
– Introducing the Special Inclusive Education Grant (SIEG) for eligible school-age children.
– Providing transport assistance for students.
– Offering textbooks to reduce financial strain.
– Ensuring access to extracurricular activities such as sports, cadet training, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The situation has elicited strong reactions from educational and religious organizations. Fiji Teacher’s Union general secretary Muniappa Goundar and Fijian Teachers Association president Paula Manumanunitoga have been outspoken about the urgent need for intervention to safeguard Fiji’s future. Reverend Simione Tugi, the general secretary of the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, voiced his worries, stating, “These are the future of Fiji; we need children to be educated to lead. If this trend continues, we may witness a rise in youth crime.”
He further stressed the importance of strengthening family units as a critical component of resolving the issue. “Many are not spending enough time with their children or meeting their needs,” he noted. He urged parents to take action now: “Strengthen your family, spend time with your children, and ensure they are sent to school—Fiji cannot afford to see these numbers rise.”