The United Nations Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, has raised significant concerns over alarming school dropout rates in Fiji, advocating for urgent reforms in the nation’s education system. According to recent statistics, from 2019 to 2023, approximately 4,589 students did not complete their primary education, and an additional 5,726 dropped out before completing Year 10. These figures point to systemic issues within the educational framework, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to fostering educational access and retention.
Dr. M’jid remarked that education should be a crucial pathway for social mobility, asserting that the existing dropout rates indicate deeper problems. “Investing in education should lead to fewer children leaving school. If this trend continues, it signals that something is fundamentally amiss,” she stated. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of recognizing education as not only a means of academic achievement but also a key factor in addressing social issues, including Fiji’s growing drug crisis. “Education can be an essential weapon against the drug problem if young people are able to envision a better future for themselves,” she noted.
Dr. M’jid has called for a detailed evaluation of factors contributing to high dropout rates, suggesting that issues such as the quality of education, student safety, and community engagement require careful analysis. She urged that prioritizing the understanding of these underlying issues is critical to tackling the dropout phenomenon efficiently, stating, “Addressing school dropouts must be a priority.”
These calls for reform align with earlier discussions from Fiji’s Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, and various community leaders, who have echoed the sentiment that despite initiatives aimed at providing free education, significant barriers still hinder student retention.
Recognizing the complexity of the problem, stakeholders believe that collaborative efforts among government bodies, civil society, and families are essential for developing effective strategies to combat this crisis. Initiatives including Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), transport assistance for students, and an expansion of extracurricular program access are among the approaches being considered to help reduce dropout rates.
As Fiji grapples with its educational challenges, there remains hope in the collective commitment to improving the educational framework for future generations. By addressing these critical issues and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, there is potential to positively impact dropout rates and empower the youth with opportunities for a brighter tomorrow.
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