The Shadow Minister for Education, Hem Chand, is urging the Coalition Government to address ongoing issues at the University of the South Pacific by arranging a special meeting as soon as possible. Chand warned that unresolved issues could lead to strike actions by staff unions, potentially disrupting students’ learning and affecting the quality of education provided by the university.
Chand noted that for several months, staff unions have been in conflict with university management, with recent secret ballot results revealing a significant level of dissatisfaction among staff regarding the institution’s leadership. He highlighted that approximately 70 percent of the university staff are Fijians, emphasizing the importance of the government in addressing their welfare and concerns through the university council.
The welfare of both students and staff, along with the needs of member countries, should be the university’s top priority, according to Chand. He stressed that the institution’s main goal should be to enhance the quality of education and research at the university. During a recent parliamentary session, the Minister for Education acknowledged the concerns raised by staff, noting that issues such as staff terminations have been highlighted.