Fiji Corrections Service Academy moves toward Accreditation

The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Academy is working towards gaining formal accreditation through the Higher Education Commission.

This is a move that would see its officers graduate with recognised qualifications for the first time.

The academy, based at Naboro along Queens Road, trains all uniformed corrections staff before they are deployed to manage inmates and run rehabilitation programmes across the country's facilities.

FCS Senior officer Orisi Kuboutawa, who has served 27 years in the service, said the academy is currently reviewing its courses to meet accreditation standards.

"We are in our effort to make our course accredited with Fiji Higher Education — hopefully, it will be certified soon," he said.

Accreditation means a course meets national quality standards set by the Higher Education Commission, giving graduates a qualification that is formally recognised outside the organisation.

Higher Education Commission director Eci Naisele said the commission is actively working with the academy on the process.

"We're not only looking at officers — we're even looking at inmates," Mr Naisele told this masthead.

Higher Education Commission Fiji director Eci Naisele.

Photo: Supplied

He said inmates at some facilities are already completing nationally recognised qualifications, such as certificate-level courses in automotive mechanics and electrical work.

"When they come out, they come out with a piece of paper that will help them get back into a job and work," he said.

Mr Naisele said the commission had previously completed a similar accreditation process with the Fiji Police Academy.

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