“Urgent Call to Address Fiji’s Alarming School Dropout Crisis”

Opposition Member of Parliament Hem Chand has raised urgent concerns regarding a significant rise in school dropouts, urging the Education Ministry to implement innovative initiatives to tackle this pressing issue. His comments came in response to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s address to Parliament, during which he spotlighted the alarming statistics from the Ministry of Education.

In 2023, over 1,162 students dropped out of school before completing Year Eight, representing a staggering 34 percent increase from the previous year’s figure of 755. This marks the highest dropout rate recorded in the past five years, as reported by Chand. He underscored the severity of the situation, stating that this trend signifies something fundamentally wrong in the current education system, particularly following the introduction of the free education initiative by the previous government in 2014.

Chand pointed out that various barriers, such as inadequate transportation and rising incidences of drug-related activities among students, are contributing to the dropout crisis. He called upon the government to invest in identifying the root causes and to prioritize this issue to prevent potential negative outcomes, including a rise in youth crime and an increase in children begging on the streets.

The previous administration, which implemented the Free Education Grant and Transport Assistance, had shown progress in reducing dropout rates. This historical context stresses that current challenges within the educational framework warrant immediate action and effective strategies to reverse the troubling trend.

Chand emphasized the importance of collaboration among educators, parents, and communities to create a supportive environment that encourages student retention. He expressed hope that with cooperative efforts, the government can address these critical issues and improve educational outcomes for Fiji’s youth.

This rising concern serves not only as a call to action for policymakers but also as an opportunity for communal engagement in ensuring that every child has access to quality education and the chance to succeed.