FNU Power Play: Former Education Minister Says PM Can’t Take Over Under the FNU Act 2009

Former Minister for Education Premila Kumar has expressed strong opposition to any proposal to place the Fiji National University (FNU) under the Prime Minister’s Office, asserting that such a move would violate the Fiji National University Act of 2009. Speaking at a recent event, Mrs. Kumar emphasized that the Act clearly delineates the authority over the university and prohibits political interpretation concerning its governance.

She stated that the university is governed by statute, with its council serving as the governing body. Kumar highlighted that the members of the FNU Council are appointed by the education minister, not the Prime Minister, as specified by the Act. “The minister responsible for education appoints members of the FNU Council under the provisions of the Act,” she explained.

Citing Section 14 of the legislation, she argued that the law is unequivocal. “Council members are appointed by the Minister for Education. So how can the Prime Minister take over FNU when he is not the minister for education?” she questioned. Moreover, she pointed out that any verbal directive from the Prime Minister regarding the university lacks legal validity, saying, “A verbal directive from the Prime Minister has no legal force in relation to FNU.”

Mrs. Kumar clarified that FNU operates under statutory governance and that executive authority does not have the power to override the FNU Act through informal means. She outlined that there are only two legitimate pathways for the Prime Minister to gain responsibility for FNU: by officially taking on the Education portfolio or by amending the FNU Act through Parliament. “Until then, any directive issued by the Prime Minister regarding FNU is legally invalid and should not be recognized,” she stated.

In her closing remarks, she insisted that the Act does not name the Prime Minister as the responsible minister for the university, reinforcing that the chancellor is obliged to recognize solely the minister designated by the law. This declaration seeks to uphold the legal framework that governs Fiji National University, ensuring its independence and proper administration.