Revamping Education: How to Combat School Dropouts in Fiji

The increasing rate of school dropouts has prompted Muniappa Gounder, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), to call for a review of the school curriculum by the Ministry of Education. Gounder expressed concern that children are losing interest in their education rapidly and suggested that the curriculum should be revised to be more engaging and relevant to students’ lives.

Gounder highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue, stating, “Children are losing interest in school daily,” and emphasized the need for a curriculum that reflects local contexts and fosters connections with the students. Recent statistics from Education Minister Aseri Radrodro revealed that from 2019 to 2023, a total of 5,726 students dropped out of school before completing Year 10. While specific reasons for these dropouts were not detailed, common issues reported include death, migration, transitioning from public to private schools, and health problems.

“We don’t want a curriculum that is based overseas, where children find it difficult and quickly lose interest,” Gounder added. He pointed out that some schools are adopting digital learning methods to cater to the needs of today’s tech-savvy children. “They want their school experience to be engaging, and the teaching methods need to capture their interest,” he noted. He also mentioned that absenteeism is on the rise due to a lack of interest in school.

Furthermore, Gounder suggested that the government’s provision of free education could be contributing to a lack of motivation among children. He criticized parents for not taking their responsibilities seriously and noted that when parents are more invested in their children’s education, they are likely to encourage them to work harder. Gounder reflected on his own experiences, recalling how his parents’ sacrifices motivated him to succeed in school. “Now, parents are relaxing on their laurels. They do not really take their responsibilities seriously. Most parents become lazy; they do not bother what their children do, there is definitely a lack of commitment.”