A senior sports officer from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jone Koroitamana, revealed that physical education programs in schools throughout Fiji are currently inactive. During the National Sporting Organisations conference themed ‘Sports the Engine of Change’ held at the Harbour Point Convention Centre in Lami, Koroitamana advocated for partnerships with relevant ministries to reinvigorate physical education programs.
He highlighted crucial feedback obtained from consultations with National Sporting Organisations (NSO) in Fiji’s Western and Northern divisions, which focused on enhancing the qualifications of university graduates aiming to teach physical education. Koroitamana underscored the necessity of incorporating sports development into the physical education curriculum to align with the goals of the NSOs.
Supporting Koroitamana’s concerns, Joji Liga, a sports development officer with the Fiji National Sports Commission, pointed out the ongoing shortage of qualified physical education teachers in schools. Liga spoke about the ‘Train the Trainers’ program designed to formally educate teachers and improve their coaching abilities in sports such as volleyball, cricket, athletics, and rugby. Their initiative, ‘Educate the Educator’, aims to provide accreditation training in order to bridge the gap within the educational system.
Such initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the importance of structured physical education in Fiji. Comments from Patrick Bower, the president of the Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Association, further bolster this perspective. Bower has consistently advocated for dedicated physical education teachers in primary schools, promoting a comprehensive approach that ensures holistic child development beyond just popular sports.
The collaborative efforts to strengthen physical education signify a promising shift in Fiji’s educational landscape, with renewed focus on cultivating young athletes capable of thriving in both academics and sports. As training programs evolve and gain momentum, there is optimism about the future of physical education, which may lead to increased youth engagement in sports across the nation.
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