One of the main goals of the Yavutu Programme is to provide targeted training for pre-primary and lower primary teachers, with a significant emphasis on peer learning, mentoring, gender equality, and disability inclusion. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with GPE, UNICEF, and the Australian Government, seeks to enhance early learning for children aged five to eight by bolstering literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills.
Laiyakini Marasaya, Senior Curriculum Specialist for Early Childhood Education, emphasizes that a teacher-focused approach is critical for enhancing foundational learning. “We need to improve our foundational learning, which requires collaboration across all stakeholders, including governments, schools, development partners, and communities, united in one mission: every child can learn,” Marasaya stated.
The training initiative is designed to establish professional learning communities that will foster collaboration and mentorship among teachers within school clusters. Marasaya shared insights from various districts revealing the effectiveness of cluster work, advocating for an exploration focused on inclusion, gender-responsive practices, and effective classroom assessments.
The Ministry of Education plans to work closely with teacher training institutions to ensure that the pre-service and in-service education for teachers aligns with the revised early childhood and lower primary curriculum. This will ensure educators are well-equipped with modern and inclusive teaching methods, ultimately benefiting the academic landscape in Fiji.
This initiative builds upon prior positive trends in early childhood education in Fiji, including the recent implementation of a full-day pre-primary education program. Notably, the introduction of this program aims to enhance accessibility and consistency in early learning, demonstrating a commitment to supporting young learners holistically.
Furthermore, the national budget has shown an increasing dedication to early childhood education, with recent allocations to enhance resources for Early Childhood Education teachers. This solid investment illustrates a hopeful outlook for the future of education in Fiji, promoting nurturing environments for children and fostering their growth.
As efforts continue to improve educational frameworks, the work being done today is an investment in a more educated and capable future generation, marking a significant step toward achieving lasting progress in Fiji’s educational landscape.
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