Education and our future

Shivneel Chandra, Tavua

Education in this era is clearly and directly focused on the needs of a child and enabling him or her to earn adequately and take responsibilities of the family.

Undoubtedly, an educated society is one of the essential tools of breaking the shackles of poverty.

As such the best Government of the day has implemented the free education system since 2014, which has greatly provided access to education for all children regardless of their economic backgrounds.

Furthermore, the Government’s step of providing free education to all students from early childhood to the tertiary levels has largely improved the literacy rate of our country. Mostly all children were and now would be going to school happily as the transportation, textbooks and tuition cost are funded by the Government.

As a result, the burdens from the parents’ shoulders are shared by today’s Government which has increased their ability of satisfying their basic needs.

Also with more funds allocated, schools are able to utilise appropriate learning resources such as computers and internet which has enhanced the teaching and learning process.

The dream of the country’s leaders of having an educated society in our small island nation is an apt one and government has played it’s part by implementing certain supportive approaches which serves a great investment in young people and now the honors lie in the hands of the students to study hard and become capable of providing back to our beautiful country.

Finally, I, as a student, thank the Government for all the life changing assistance to thousands of children.

Technology, a gift or curse

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

It’s about time we ask ourselves if technology is sapping children’s creativity.

It wasn’t long ago when parents were talking about how much TV children should watch.

Now we are in the midst of a technology revolution that is happening so fast we can barely keep up with the number of devices available.

There has not been time to reflect on how this cascading influx of technology is affecting our children or to study the potentially far ranging influence it is having on them.

Remember, children will grow socially and emotionally by interacting with us and through direct experiences with others. The fact that parents today have the option of so much technology can seem like both a gift and a curse.

Military Tattoo

Avesi Kalokalo, Ba

On the 23rd of December I watched on television the replay of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Tattoo, at  Suva’s ANZ Stadium. It was impressive, flawless and every Fijian who watched this performance would definitely be proud of our armed and defence forces.

A particular segment that caught my attention was the martial arts display and the use of swords.

I hereby offer my suggestion to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces if they could learn the use of our own traditional weaponry and form of warfare (for display purposes only of course).

It is understood that martial arts and the eastern oriental self-defence mechanism has proven to be effective and universally standardised.

Nevertheless, we are ever- borrowing foreign concepts and lest we forget how equally formidable our ancient Bati’s were. Archived eye witnessed accounts from early Europeans described how terrifyingly accurate our predecessors used different war clubs on foes whether near or at a distance during combat.

This would also keep buoyant our traditions and culture in an IT/tech era that is globalising at a rapid rate. Lest we forget.

Coral ban: 60 unemployed

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

COP23 and the Ministry of Fisheries ban on all harvesting, purchasing, sale and export of live coral and aquarium rock (also known as live rock, coral rock or fossil coral) is commended.

But, after celebrating New Year 2018, how would you feel if you turn up to work and be told that Government has taken away your job, go home and find another job?

We are told that over 60 Walt Smith International workers at Lautoka, a company which exports live coral and rock has been told not to return to work on Wednesday, because of the ban by Government (FS 3/1).

From what we read, it seems that the Government has jumped the gun on this one.

The Livestock and Aquaculture manager David Barrick said: “The business is a lot more  than about coral and rock export but the coral and rock export is what supports our coral farming and our man-made rock – without that we can’t stand alone.

“At least right now for the last couple of years, a quarter of our income has gone directly to the villagers in Navutu, Druadrua and parts of the Yasawas to support the coral farming and the villagers are paid directly for the boat hires and other stuff.”

Mr Barrick said the company had invested another $500, 000 last year with the same amount earmarked for next year.

Over $15 million was invested in the company over the past 20 years.

The company said it contributed between $6 million to $7 million towards the economy each year.

“There was zero consultation with us and the other company in Pacific Harbour that is run by David Oliver.

“It came to us as a complete surprise and we haven’t slept since Friday,” he said.

Bottom-line, it was the Government who approved of this company setting up business in Fiji, they have paid their taxes, have employed over 60 Fijians and have brought business to villages in the Yasawas.

I believe that this company is helping the growth of our coral, not its destruction and should, for the sake of the 60 Fijians who will be unemployed, for Government to allow Walt Smith International to continue in its operations.