A teachers helpline giving teachers an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding employment and per­sonal issues is expected to be launched later this year.

Minister for Education, Herit­age and Arts Premila Kumar confirmed this during her visit to Toko Sanatan Primary School in Toko, Vatukoula, Tavua on Thursday.

Ms Kumar this was in addition to the Talanoa platform where the Ministry would post mes­sages for teach­ers.

“In the fu­ture we will be launching a teacher’s helpline which means any teacher who has got em­ployment related matters will call the Ministry and sort it out. So, we have a person who will attend to your calls. It’s like a call centre,” she said.

She said there would be anoth­er set up where they would deal with complaints from parents and students who can lodge their complaint to the ministry.

Other changes

She said other changes included the review of the Early Child­hood Care (ECE) numeracy and literacy curriculum.

The Ministry is also proposing to scrap exams for Years 1 to Year 3, but the focus would be on nu­meracy and literacy.

“For the ECE right up to Year 3, we want to focus on settling the right foundation for our children, so they become leaders, listeners and they are able to do discovery learning and they become more creative. So, they should explore and not the way we teach Year 1, a very rigid, strict approach.”

She said United Nations Chil­dren’s Fund had also come on board to support the adapting of the Early Childhood Education standards, curriculum, and pro­cedures.

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu