Muniappa Goundar, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, emphasized the importance of mastering English before students begin learning a foreign language, such as Chinese. At an interview with The Fiji Times, he pointed out that fundamental literacy skills must be prioritized in the education system, particularly in the early years from grades one to three.
Goundar’s statements follow the Ministry of Education’s recent memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government to introduce a new Chinese language program into the national curriculum. While he acknowledges the potential benefits of learning additional languages, Goundar raised concerns about who would be teaching these new materials, emphasizing the current deficiencies in literacy and numeracy among students.
He noted that, while Fiji historically enjoyed high literacy and numeracy rates, it now ranks seventh in the Pacific. Goundar advocated for children to not only learn to read but also to comprehend what they read, especially as many students struggle with both vernacular subjects and English.
This perspective aligns with earlier reports indicating worrying trends in literacy among students transitioning from primary to secondary education. Paula Manumanunitoga, general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, has similarly highlighted that some primary students are entering secondary school without basic reading skills. This issue has garnered attention from educational leaders, prompting discussions about potential reforms to improve foundational literacy in schools.
These discussions underscore a significant challenge in the Fijian educational landscape, where the over-reliance on technology and automatic progression policies may be contributing factors to declining literacy rates. Moving forward, there is hope for meaningful reform, focusing on collaboration among educators, parents, and stakeholders to ensure that every child in Fiji has the necessary skills to thrive academically.
Overall, as Fiji adapts its educational curriculum to include new languages, there is an essential need to reinforce the foundational skills that will enable students to succeed. The commitment to strengthening literacy stands as a beacon of hope for enhancing educational standards across the nation.
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