The general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), Paula Manumanunitoga, is urging the Public Service Commission (PSC) to take immediate action. He highlighted ongoing issues at three northern schools—Valelawa Primary School, Yadua Village School, and Laucala District School—regarding their classroom buildings, which have remained unresolved for many years.
“Some students are still attending classes in tents,” Mr. Manumanunitoga stated. He emphasized the urgency of addressing these problems, noting that both students and teachers are enduring difficulties. “If these issues are not resolved, we must question the accountability of the Education Minister and his Permanent Secretary to find a timely solution.”
He underscored the importance of political will within government, contending it is the minister’s responsibility to ensure that directives are followed by his permanent secretary.
Mr. Manumanunitoga also called for collaboration and support from the Minister and the Permanent Secretary’s office, pointing out troubling divisions between the two that are negatively impacting the country’s education system. He stated, “These disagreements are not only affecting operations at the ministry’s headquarters but also the entire school system.”
He further outlined significant delays in the free education grant, the appointment and contracts of teachers and support staff, unresolved teacher shortages, and salary upgrades that remain unaddressed. An email inquiry sent to Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro and Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca on October 2 regarding the situation at Valelawa Primary School—where classes three to six are being held in two recycled tents—has yet to receive a response.