Government has moved quickly to soften the negative impact on the education of Fijian children from staying home as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Attorney-General and Minister for Communications Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Minister for Education Rosy Akbar held negotiations with the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and Walesi to implement a new educational channel.

Students from kindergarten to Year 13 will now be able to access educational programmes through a new free-to-air Education Channel on Walesi.

“The Fijian Government’s goal of keeping Fiji up-to-date with global technological advances has ensured that we have the infrastructure and technological capacity to deploy this programme and keep our children educated during COVID-19 when schools are closed for the safety of our children,” said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

The two organisations (FBC and Walesi) will work with the Government to support the curriculum outcomes for Fijian students, providing the opportunity to continue learning.

Ms Akbar said: “Fijian students will have access to a wide range of relevant curriculum-based educational programmes in literacy, numeracy and all other subjects from kindergarten to Year 13.”

Students will be able to access the channel at any time through Walesi and the Government urges parents to also be involved and keep our future leaders educated.

The ministry is also preparing resource materials that will be accessible online.

This syllabus has been carefully prepared by the Curriculum Advisory Services Department of the Ministry of Education with the current circumstances in mind and covers all critical information to keep Fijians students up to date from the comfort of their own homes.

You can download Walesi on the Google Playstore or the Apple App Store or go to any Walesi outlet to get a set top box.

Feedback:  rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj