More drama unfold at Senikau House as the push for a new Minister for Education and the resignation of an executive officer become the latest addition to the theatrical appointment of a permanent secretary.

Former Fiji Teachers Association (FTA) board member, Maika Moroca, has called for a replacement for line minister Aseri Radrodro, or his resignation.

Former long-serving permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, Jioji Kotobalavu, had issued a statement last week calling on Mr Radrodro to resign.

“In a ministerial and cabinet system of executive government, if a minister does not agree with a decision of the PM or of Cabinet, the constitutional convention is for that Minister to tender his resignation,” he said.

Among other allegations, Mr Moroca said Mr Radrodro lacked institutional knowledge to carry out his responsibilities confidently.

Mr Moroca was the Ra education officer, and part of the executive support unit team before he was transferred out of the headquarters after just spending about three weeks as the acting head of human resources.

He said his call followed the resignation of the head of the executive support unit, Ratu Josefa Gavidi.

The reason and details of Ratu Gavidi’s resignation are sketchy.

Ratu Gavidi, a former principal of Queen Victoria School, was appointed to the executive position in March this year.

Generally, the role provides executive support to the minister and permanent secretary.

At the time, Mr Radrodro told the media that the appointment of Ratu Gavidi was made in concurrence with the Public Service Commission (PSC) until a permanent appointment was made.

When contacted over the phone on Thursday, Ratu Gavidi admitted his resignation.

When asked why, he retracted his admission and ended the call.

Ratu Gavidi was a senior education officer, principal, and acting divisional head before he assumed the role of head of executive support.

Multiple attempts to get a comment from Mr Radrodro were unsuccessful.

CALL FOR CHANGE

Mr Moroca said there was an urgent need to change the Minister for Education.

He claims that Mr Radrodro has control over operational matters, which is not supposed to be the case.

As the Minister, Mr Radrodro is to ensure that activities of the ministry are compliant with the ministry’s policies, he said.

“Files and submissions are taken to him (Mr Radrodro), and then people must come and verify. That’s wrong, we need people with institutional knowledge, and can understand the work.”

Mr Moroca claims that Mr Radrodro “doesn’t demarcate operations and his role, micromanages, and has bulldozing tactics”.

He raised the issue of two consultants (names withheld) employed by the ministry. The two are pillars of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) – the kingmakers of which Mr Radrodro is a part of.

“These two are stationed in the office, accessing Government resources, which is a breach of policy,” he said.

Mr Moroca said the ministry’s financial regulation states that consultants were to work from home and submit their month-end report, then a monthly allowance was given.

The two consultants are believed to be sitting on $35,000 each.

Mr Moroca also raised the allegation of being instructed, when he was the senior education officer in the ministry, to find space for an individual who was employed to be the farm manager at a prominent all-girls school.

In another alleged incident, Mr Moroca said Mr Radrodro dictated the enrolment policy of an all-girls schools.

“Three teachers were transferred, one female and two males, one of them was my student. The assistant principal was also demoted to head of department,” Mr Moroca claimed.

SODELPA general secretary Viliame Takayawa said part of their party’s condition in the coalition agreement was to handle the affairs of the Ministry of Education.

The other two ministries are Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the iTaukei Affairs.

“Under the agreement signed they are to be resourcefully facilitated so that they can deliver the government services with high quality,” he said.

Mr Takayawa declined to make any comments on how Mr Radrodro was handling the affairs of the ministry.

PERMANENT SECRETARY SAGA 

Mr Moroca was allegedly a victim of the PS drama.

He claimed he was removed from his role as acting head of HR because the FTA executives had written to Mr Radrodro about his alleged association with Selina Kuruleca and a group that visited the FTA headquarters.

“The union is supposed to be protecting its members, but instead they reported me again,” Mr Moroca said.

Ms Kuruleca and her entourage had presented her i-sevusevu (traditional kava offering) to the general secretary of the FTA, Paula Manumanuitoga, following the announcement of her appointment.

The FTA executives accepted the i-sevusevu and pledged their support towards Ms Kuruleca.

However, just a few days before the i-sevusevu, the executives including those of the Fiji Teachers Union had written to Mr Radrodro expressing their disapproval of the appointment.

Ms Kuruleca and the i-sevusevu delegation were not aware. After the i-sevusevu, she had normal conversation with the executives and those present.

“I was accused that I took Selina Kuruleca to FTA,” Mr Moroca said.

“The minister, without knowing the truth, removed me as head of the HR.”

A letter was later drafted by the FTA executives and addressed to Mr Radrodro under the subject “Humble apology & request for Maika Moroca’s confirmation as AHHR”.

The letter, signed by Mr Manumanuitoga, was copied to acting PS for Education Timoci Bure, deputy secretary for secondary and primary Peni Senikarawa, and Ratu Gavidi.

The content of the letter reads: 

We sincerely and humbly request your kind consideration in allowing Mr. Maika Moroca to continue as Head of HR (Acting) in the Ministry of Education.

We have just confirmed that he was in the carpark at FTA with Mr. Livinai Ralovo (66033) who he had just readmitted to a school whilst working late in the evening; when selected PS Ed Ms Selina Kuruleca walked into FTA with Serupepeli Caginavanua (HOS St Agnes) for sevusevu to General Secretary FTA. 

….. In the process they (Mr Moroca and Mr Ralovo) met with the PS Ed sevusevu delegation and was caught up in the informal function. 

We realise that FTA GS and IRO reported Mr. 

Moroca as part of the entourage of selected PSEd Ms Selina Kuruleca during our meeting on Thursday 22 June, 23 in FTA Board Room and would like to make corrections to that allegations as their destinations (GS FTA) were the same. 

Mr Manuinuitoga admitted the contents of the letter, and what had transpired on the day of the sevusevu.

Mr Moroca is currently a board member of the Fiji Teachers Union Cooperative Thrift and Credit Limited.

He has served for more than two decades in Fiji’s education sector.

Feedback: ivamere.nataro@fijisun.com.fj