The absence of parents at home and their limited involvement in their children’s lives have significantly impacted the literacy rates among students in Fiji, according to Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association. During the association’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, he expressed concerns from high school teachers about the number of students transitioning from primary school who are still struggling with literacy.
Manumanunitoga emphasized that the issue begins at home, but he believes that teachers also play a crucial role in collaborating with parents to provide necessary support to children. He noted that this lack of parental involvement is a key factor contributing to the country’s low literacy rates, alongside the dissatisfaction among teachers regarding their working conditions.
He pointed out that teachers often face heavy workloads and insufficient pay, which adversely affects their performance. Many educators arrive at work by 7:30 AM and leave around 6 PM, in addition to participating in extracurricular activities, yet their compensation does not reflect this effort.
Furthermore, Manumanunitoga criticized the government for not acknowledging the teachers’ concerns. He highlighted that many parents are preoccupied with other commitments, leaving children without parental guidance, particularly within the iTaukei community. He reiterated that low teacher salaries lead to diminished morale and performance, which compounds the literacy issue in Fiji.