A recent government revelation has shed light on the alarming dropout rate among students from 2019 to 2023, despite the implementation of a free education scheme. This has led to urgent calls from the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, along with teacher unions and the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, urging parents, guardians, and stakeholders to prioritize education in Fiji.
In Parliament, Mr. Radrodro reported that 5,726 students did not complete Year 10 over the four-year period, which averages to about 1,431 dropouts each year. Moreover, there were 4,589 primary students who were not registered in schools during the same timeframe, according to the Ministry’s Fiji Education Management Information System Database (FEMIS).
Although specific reasons for student dropouts were not documented, Mr. Radrodro mentioned that disclosed factors might include deaths, migration, transfers from public to private schools, or medical conditions.
The Ministry has been proactive, collaborating with school heads to conduct home visits and offer counseling to “at-risk students” to encourage them to stay in school. However, contributing factors to the rising dropout rates include family breakdowns, migration, and formal employment opportunities.
Mr. Radrodro emphasized the need for a collective effort from government agencies, civil society, religious organizations, and families to tackle this pressing issue.
In response to the dropout crisis, the Ministry has initiated several measures, including:
– Alternative pathways through Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and micro-skills training.
– A Special Inclusive Education Grant (SIEG) for all eligible children of school age.
– Transport assistance for students.
– Provision of textbooks to ease financial pressures.
– Access to extracurricular activities such as sports, cadet training, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
This situation has elicited strong reactions from educational and religious leaders. Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the Fiji Teacher’s Union (FTU), and Paula Manumanunitoga from the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) have consistently called for immediate action to ensure the future of education in Fiji.
Reverend Simione Tugi, general secretary of the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, voiced his concerns about the implications of the growing dropout rate. He stressed the importance of educating children for leadership roles in the future and warned of potential increases in youth crime if the situation doesn’t improve.
Reverend Tugi underscored the critical role of families, noting that many parents are not spending enough quality time with their children or attending to their needs. He urged parents to take immediate action to strengthen family bonds and prioritize sending their children to school, highlighting that the government’s provision of free school fees and bus fares should be utilized for a better future in Fiji.