The front page of The Fiji Times for Thursday, August 15, highlights the Great Council of Chiefs’ endorsement for reviewing the 2013 Constitution, focusing particularly on military roles and provisions seen as overly restrictive for the iTaukei community.
Additionally, uncertainty surrounds the future of Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, as the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) called for immediate leadership changes following a recent vote.
An important report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) emphasized the need for Fiji to enhance its capacity to withstand financial shocks, despite ongoing efforts to reduce national debt. The ADB’s latest Pacific Economic Monitor projects growth rates of 3.3 percent in 2024 and 4.0 percent in 2025, while expressing concerns over limited fiscal space to manage future disturbances and the necessity for better spending efficiency.
In a worrying development, police are investigating four serious incidents at a notable school in Tailevu, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, and serious assault, as confirmed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa. This situation prompts deep concern regarding the safety of children and the broader issue of drug influences affecting youths in Fiji, with reports of students dealing and using hard drugs, including methamphetamine.
Discussions during a panel on higher education highlighted the escalating issues of narcotics among young people, stressing the importance of awareness and preventive measures. Historic data from the Ministry of Education indicates that a significant number of primary schools have reported incidents of student involvement in illegal activities over recent years.
The latest reports of sexual assault within schools raise urgent questions about the state of the education system and community environments, indicating a need for immediate and long-term solutions to support safe and healthy development for children.