A recent disclosure by the government has revealed a concerning trend of student dropouts from schools between 2019 and 2023, despite the implementation of a free education initiative. This alarming situation has led to urgent appeals from Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro, teachers’ unions, and the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship urging parents, guardians, and other stakeholders to prioritize education in Fiji.
In a parliamentary session, Mr. Radrodro announced that over the four-year span, 5,726 students did not complete Year 10, translating to an average of 1,431 dropouts each year. Furthermore, the Ministry’s Fiji Education Management Information System Database (FEMIS) documented that 4,589 primary school-aged children were not enrolled in any educational institution during this period.
While the reasons for these dropouts remain unspecified, disclosed factors include deaths, migration, shifts from public to private schools, and health issues.
To combat this issue, the Ministry has partnered with school leaders to conduct home visits and provide counseling for students deemed “at-risk” to persuade them to continue their education. However, the rising dropout rates have been attributed to challenges such as family instability, migration, and the need for formal employment.
Mr. Radrodro emphasized the necessity of a collaborative response from government agencies, civil organizations, religious institutions, and families to tackle this growing concern.
In response, the Ministry has initiated several strategies to mitigate the dropout problem. These include creating alternative pathways like Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, offering a Special Inclusive Education Grant for eligible children, providing transport assistance, supplying textbooks to ease financial strains, and enhancing access to extracurricular activities such as sports and cadet training.
The situation has sparked strong reactions from educational and religious leaders. Fiji Teacher’s Union general secretary Muniappa Goundar and Fiji Teachers Association representative Paula Manumanunitoga have echoed the need for urgent action to ensure the future of Fiji’s youth. Similarly, Reverend Simione Tugi from the Fiji Evangelical Fellowship expressed grave concerns, stressing that the education of children is vital for the nation’s future and warning that rising dropout rates could lead to increased youth crime.
Reverend Tugi also highlighted the essential role of families in addressing this crisis. He urged parents to invest time in their children and fulfill their emotional and educational needs. He called upon parents to recognize the support provided by the government, including free schooling and transportation, and to ensure that their children attend school for a better future for Fiji.