The absence of teachers for extended periods has been creating significant learning gaps for primary school students, according to Johnson Rura, president of the Fiji Head Teachers Association. Speaking at the 41st Head Teachers Association Conference in Nadi, Rura highlighted that this issue adds further pressure on school leaders. He expressed concern that there are long-standing delays in providing teacher assistants, stating, “More has been talked about, and nothing has been done until now.” Rura also recommended that the probation period for newly graduated teachers should be extended to one year, instead of the current two months.