Fifty early childhood educators in Fiji are set to migrate for higher-paying teaching positions by the end of this month, according to Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers’ Association. He reported that these teachers have received job offers from Australia, which promises permanent residency after three years.
Last year, one hundred qualified early childhood education teachers left Fiji for similar opportunities. Manumanunitoga criticized the decision to use final-year tertiary students to fill teaching vacancies, stating that this approach is not acceptable. He warned that a potential strike next week may see significant public support from parents, as concerns over this issue grow, pointing out that both the Finance Minister Biman Prasad and the Prime Minister appear indifferent to their plight.
He highlighted the disparity in earnings, noting that teachers in Fiji earn between $14,000 to $18,000 annually, whereas those who move to Australia can expect salaries ranging from $60,000 to $90,000 in Australian dollars.