Rosie Semisi is recommending a substitute for the old and outdated home economics subject in schools.

The Fiji National University fashion and design lecturer made the proposal during the National Education summit in Nadi on Tuesday.

She said fashion and designer certificates two, three and four were viable options in secondary schools.

Ms Semisi is an award-winning fashion designer, fashion educator and fashion consultant.

“Do away with home economics. Home economics is old. We have got more options now that we can create more pathways and have food technology as another subject,” Ms Semisi said.

“For fashion and design there’s so many possibilities.”

She also chaired the industry standards advisory committee(ISAC) on the development of national qualifications for fashion and design.

Her journey reflects a passion for the fashion industry a dedication to education and a commitment to fostering creativity and talent in Fiji.

Ms Semisi is the manager of RES (Fiji) at FEDC. She held the position on the Fashion Council of Fijian, Fijian Fashion Designer’s Alliance and is a member of the Fiji Arts Council and Fiji Museum.

Many students she shared her knowledge with are working in the industry.

She also recommended that art subjects be incorporated into the education system.

“We will consider the arts fashion and design, dance, sports and everything else that has been considered as an extra curriculum to be incorporated into the education system,” Ms Semisi said.

“There is a need for education reforms. We need people to restructure, so that education is more relevant for kids to learn about art and being creative about their identity and the culture at a very young age.”

Ms Semisi said this may help the children become better people with a lot of respect of who they were, their identity and help them enhance their creativity in the talents they had.

She said to consider arts as a spare or extra unit in universities and secondary schools was disappointing.

“We should provide opportunity for our kids to be able to pursue their interest if it is in fashion and design, in dance, in music or storytelling.

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