Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), is urging the Public Service Commission (PSC) to take immediate action regarding unresolved issues at three schools in the Northern region. These schools, which include Valelawa Primary School, Yadua Village School, and Laucala District School, are facing significant challenges with their classroom facilities that have gone unaddressed for several years.
According to Mr. Manumanunitoga, some students are still attending classes in temporary tents, highlighting the urgent need for intervention as both students and teachers are suffering due to the inadequate learning environment. He has called on the Minister for Education and his Permanent Secretary to prioritize finding solutions to these ongoing problems.
Mr. Manumanunitoga stressed the importance of political will from the government, indicating that it is the responsibility of the minister to ensure that his directives are followed by the Permanent Secretary. He also emphasized the need for collaboration and support between the Minister and the Permanent Secretary’s office, citing existing conflicts between the two that are harming the education system.
He pointed out that these tensions are not only hindering operations at the ministry headquarters but also adversely affecting the broader school system. Several issues requiring attention include delays in the free education grant, slow progress in appointing teachers and school support staff, unaddressed teacher shortages, and pending salary upgrades.
Attempts to obtain information about the situation at Valelawa Primary School, particularly regarding classes for grades three to six being conducted in recycled tents, have not received a response from either the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, or Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca.