Schools To No Longer Host Tourists: Ministry
The circular further stated that the practice disrupts the teaching and learning process of students.
Schools around the country are no longer allowed to host tourists during school hours unless cleared by the Fiji Teachers Registration Board (Association) (FTRA).
This comes after a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage and Arts Alison Burchell that was sent on Monday instructed school heads around the country not to host any tourists during school hours.
The circular further stated that the practice disrupts the teaching and learning process of students.
The ministry raised its concern stating that visitors also posed a potential risk to the students and teachers, as they have not been cleared by FTRA nor have they received a police clearance prior to visiting the school.
For those reasons, Ms Burchell requested school heads not to accept any such visits unless they meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education.
She stated that she would be contacting the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) to discuss the same with them.
District Offices were also instructed to report the following to Directors Primary and Secondary by November 4, confirming that all schools hosting tourists in their districts must advise the relevant hotel or tourist operator that the school will no longer be hosting such visits.
District offices are also advised to provide details of schools which have hosted tourists with the name and contact details of the hotel or tourist operators.
FHTA President Dixon Seeto said they have received the notice and would discuss the matter further with Ms Burchell.
“We are in the process of discussing this matter further with the PS and until such time I am not in a position to make any comments,” Mr Seeto said.
FHTA has over 400 active and associate members.
Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu
