Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to fostering leadership and discipline among students through initiatives extending beyond traditional classroom settings. This commitment was highlighted during his address at the Queen Victoria School cadet passing-out parade, where he drew connections between the cadets’ character displayed during the event and the national education agenda.
“The Coalition Government acknowledges that values like discipline and leadership cannot merely be instilled in a classroom,” Radrodro stated. To support this vision, the 2025–2026 National Budget features a significant allocation of $847 million to education, with over $675 million earmarked for the Ministry of Education. This funding marks a historic investment in Fiji’s education, focusing on the development of people, not just infrastructure.
Radrodro emphasized that the government is committed to sustaining and promoting programs that nurture character like cadetship and leadership development in schools such as QVS. He remarked that the achievements demonstrated at the passing-out parade epitomized the desired growth across Fiji’s educational institutions, promoting traits such as confidence, courage, and active citizenship.
He further explained that education should cultivate not just intellectual capabilities but also moral values, advocating for increased integration of programs like scouting, cadet training, and service learning into school curriculums. The intention is to reward students not solely for academic accomplishments but also for embodying citizenship and character necessary to thrive in life.
This approach reflects ongoing efforts by the Coalition Government to enhance educational outcomes through community engagement and support. The minister’s strong advocacy for character education aligns with previous discussions around the importance of collaboration among educators, parents, and students, which has positively impacted student development.
In summary, Minister Radrodro’s commitment to educational reform highlights a hopeful vision for the future of Fiji’s education system. Through proactive investments and character-building programs, the government aims to empower students to become future leaders equipped with vital life skills.
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