Children who turn six years old before June 6, 2024, can enroll for Year 1 in the next academic year, Cabinet approved yesterday.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said it was an effort to reverse a decision made in 2022, where children who turn six by December 31, were allowed to apply for the said level.

The decision was to ease increased enrolment to infrastructure, human resources and several education assistance.

Consultations are expected to follow, and Government plans to hold discussions about the education system next Wednesday.

The Ministry of Education will host the Fiji National Education Summit, which would include more than 100 stakeholders.

It has been 18 years since the last education summit was held.

“For years our people, our communities, our faith-based organisations, our school communities, civil societies, teacher unions, have been denied the opportunity,” Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro said in Parliament.

“Those who have been in the forefront of education development and school establishment in Fiji were denied from having a say in how schools were managed or consulted in policy matters by the government.”

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