Reviving Fijian Heritage: A Call for Cultural Education in Schools

There is an increasing need to enhance the teaching of Fijian history and the knowledge of indigenous settlers, particularly in schools, as highlighted by Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. He is calling on both parents and educators to promote iTaukei customs and values to prevent their eventual loss. Ratu Wiliame emphasizes that an understanding of one’s identity, history, and ancestral journey should be accompanied by a sense of pride, respect, and ownership, making it essential to reintroduce this knowledge into the school curriculum.

This call for cultural and historical education reflects broader trends seen in various communities across Fiji, where discussions on the preservation of such teachings are becoming increasingly relevant as they have largely been excluded from formal education. Ratu Wiliame recalls a time when comprehensive lessons on history were part of school curricula and insists that this knowledge should start being integrated at the primary education level.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka supports the initiative, advocating that culture should serve as a cornerstone of Fiji’s uniqueness. He stresses the importance of creating environments at home, in schools, and across communities where cultural education is embraced with pride.

Currently, university-level programs provide the most detailed resources on iTaukei history and culture, yet both leaders agree on the necessity of introducing this knowledge early in schooling to ensure the preservation of traditional knowledge and cultural identity.

Additionally, recent discussions within Fijian communities have echoed similar sentiments concerning the revitalization of cultural aspects, including useful insights from figures such as Ratu Viliame Seruvakula of the Great Council of Chiefs. He has emphasized the importance of reinstating the iTaukei language into the education system, considering the alarming trends of language decline among the youth.

By focusing on these educational reforms, there stands a hopeful outlook for the future, as engaging children with their cultural heritage may inspire a generation that is more connected to their identity and community. Efforts to integrate indigenous knowledge and practices are paving the way toward a cultural renaissance among the youth in Fiji, fostering unity and pride within communities.