On February 5, 1985, a group of around 40 unemployed graduates from the University of the South Pacific (USP) staged a protest outside the National Gymnasium in Suva, coinciding with the National Economic Summit. The protesters aimed to present a petition to Prime Minister Sir Kamisese Mara, voicing their concerns about the lack of employment opportunities for graduates.
According to a report from The Fiji Times the following day, the demonstration began at a service station near the gymnasium before proceeding to the summit venue with placards and slogans expressing their grievances. Gyaneshwar Raju, a spokesman for the group, indicated that they sought roles within the educational system, specifically teaching positions, which they believed should come with appropriate salaries.
Upon approaching the entrance to the gymnasium, Raju was confronted by Assistant Superintendent Savenaca Tuivaga, who demanded to know if they had a permit for their protest. Upon confirming that they did not, Tuivaga ordered them to disperse, threatening arrest if they did not comply. While the police confiscated the placards, the protesters, equipped with a supply from their car, continued their demonstration from within the university campus, ensuring their messages were heard as ministerial cars passed by.
Raju articulated the group’s frustrations, stating, “We have not been given teaching positions with appropriate salary scales, which are offered to all teachers,” expressing a belief that the Government had a moral obligation to provide them with full salaries. This protest reflects the ongoing struggle of graduates seeking meaningful employment and adequate compensation for their qualifications within the Fijian education system.
In connection to similar past demonstrations in 1984 by student teachers protesting the government’s volunteer service scheme, the approach to advocacy by USP graduates highlights a persistent theme of seeking justice and accountability within educational institutions in Fiji. These events underscore the importance of student voices in advocating for sustainable educational reforms and employment opportunities.
As history shows, collective actions like these can lead to significant changes and hopefully foster a system where student and graduate concerns are consistently addressed and valued.
Leave a comment