Improving the standard of and spoken English is among priorities set by the Ministry of Education.

This was highlighted by newly appointed Minister for Education Rosy Akbar in Parliament yesterday while highlighting the immediate focus for her ministry.

Other priorities include integrating the teaching of different maths in schools and teaching language using Walesi as a digital platform.
The ministry is also prioritising the encouragement of professional development for teachers through scholarships to meet the priority areas of the ministry and completing the ongoing ministry restructure and salary increase for teachers.

Ms Akbar, a former vice principal at Ba’s A.D Patel College, emphasised that teachers need to be supported in areas of English and Maths through continuing professional development.

“We recognise that the quality of students can only be improved by better quality and better equipped teachers,” she said.

“Fijian students should be no lesser equipped to meet the challenges and innovation posed by the rapidly-progressing technological world we are currently living in.”

She added that her ministry had been working with the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations to review and enhance apprenticeship programmes which would be the key contributor in addressing skills development.

Ms Akbar said the ministry was working with Government-funded universities to ensure better coordination.

“Any and all necessary avenues need to be identified and desirable outcomes accelerated, so that we are in a position to better meet the targets identified in the National Employment Policy,” she said.

“We will promote the increased participation of women and girls in traditionally male trades occupations.
This requires a mind-set in all forms of teaching in schools, universities, technical and vocational institutions and indeed among employers.”

With fast-moving technology, Ms Akbar said that, “we cannot fall back on the excuse that we are a small nation”.

She also emphasised an inclusive approach and leaving no one behind, especially paying particular attention to the schools for students with special needs and early childhood care.

To improve the understanding of our cultures, Ms Akbar said the teaching of contemporary iTaukei and Hindi would be fostered continuously.
Edited by Epineri Vula
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