A recent report from the Government has revealed a concerning increase in student dropouts from schools between 2019 and 2023, despite the implementation of a free education initiative. This alarming trend has led the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, alongside teachers’ unions and the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, to urge parents, guardians, and stakeholders to place a greater emphasis on education in Fiji.
In a statement made in Parliament, Mr. Radrodro reported that 5,726 students did not complete Year 10 in the past four years, averaging 1,431 dropouts each year. Additionally, the Ministry’s Fiji Education Management Information System Database (FEMIS) indicated that 4,589 primary school students were unregistered during the same timeframe.
Mr. Radrodro noted that while exact reasons for these dropouts are not always documented, known factors include deaths, migration, transfers from public to private schools, and health issues.
The Ministry is actively collaborating with school leaders to carry out home visits and provide counseling to students deemed “at-risk” to encourage them to remain in the education system. Several factors, including family instability, migration, and the attraction of formal employment, have been cited as contributing to the increasing dropout rates.
To tackle this issue, the Ministry has implemented a variety of measures, including:
– Alternative pathways such as Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and micro-skills training.
– A Special Inclusive Education Grant (SIEG) for eligible school-age children.
– Transport assistance for students.
– Provision of textbooks to ease financial challenges.
– Access to extracurricular activities like sports, cadet training, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The situation has sparked significant concern among educational and religious organizations. Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the Fiji Teacher’s Union (FTU), and Paula Manumanunitoga from the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) have both emphasized the urgent need for intervention to protect the future of Fiji.
Reverend Simione Tugi, general secretary of the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, expressed his apprehension regarding the dropout problem, stating, “These are the future of Fiji; we need children to be educated to lead. If this trend continues, we may see an uptick in youth crime on our streets. It is essential that we keep our children in school; Fiji cannot afford these dropout statistics.”
In his remarks, Reverend Tugi also emphasized the importance of family involvement, urging parents to dedicate more time to their children and to address their needs. He remarked, “The government is providing free school fees and bus fares—let’s ensure that our children attend school for a brighter and more prosperous Fiji.”