The Ministry of Education in Fiji is actively working to tackle the issue of teacher shortages, particularly the more than 500 vacant positions in primary schools. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting that while efforts are underway, the ministry cannot prevent individuals from seeking better employment opportunities elsewhere.
Radrodro highlighted that the current number of vacant positions for primary school teachers stands at 580, emphasizing that this concern has been consistently addressed by the ministry. He mentioned that the ministry is striving to fill these roles despite the challenges posed by teachers leaving for improved prospects both internationally and locally.
To mitigate the impact of these shortages, the ministry has started recruiting secondary school teachers to fill in at primary schools. Additionally, they are providing training for those willing to remain in primary education.
Looking ahead, Radrodro expressed a commitment to collaborate with the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Scheme (TSLS) to enhance teacher recruitment within training institutions. In addressing the shortages, the ministry is also focusing on critical areas such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), recognizing the significant demand for teachers in these subjects.
The minister stated, “We acknowledge the need for more resources in the areas of STEM subjects, including physics. This is a focus area for our new teacher recruits.” He emphasized the ongoing efforts to meet the demand for STEM educators.