Graduates still waiting for teaching jobs
Some graduates say they have taken other jobs while waiting for appointments as 202 registered teachers remain unplaced.
Thursday 30 July 2026 | 16:00
Several teaching graduates who completed their studies this year say they are still waiting for school postings, with some forced to take up other jobs while awaiting placement.
A graduate with a Bachelor of Education in Secondary School Agriculture Science, who requested anonymity, said he was still waiting for his posting.
He said while there were vacancies in some primary schools, some secondary school graduates had been left with no option but to teach at primary level.
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"Some of my friends are still waiting for our posting and we have no option either to stay unemployed or work somewhere to earn an income," he said.
Another graduate with a Bachelor of Education in Secondary School Home Economics said she was yet to receive a response from the Ministry of Education regarding her posting.
"I do not have any school to teach at. To support my family, I have to do other work," she said.
Permanent Secretary for Education Navin Raj said he had referred the matter to the Human Resources section and would provide an update.
The concerns come after Parliament was informed that 202 registered teachers were still awaiting placement in schools.
In a written response to Opposition MP Premila Kumar, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro said that as of May 25, 2026, 202 teachers registered with the Fiji Teachers Registration Authority were awaiting placement.
The largest group comprised Early Childhood Education teachers, with 128 awaiting placement. This was followed by 66 secondary school teachers, six primary school teachers and two qualified in Special Inclusive Education.
Among the secondary teachers awaiting placement were graduates qualified in Accounting and Economics, Mathematics and Physics, Biology and Chemistry, Geography and History, Education and Agriculture, Industrial Arts, Home Economics, Physical Education and Information Systems.
Previously, Mr Raj said Fiji continued to face shortages of qualified teachers in key subjects.
"Secondary schools are facing shortages of physics, mathematics and computer graduates. This is a scarce skill area," he said.
"So there have been gaps in teacher replacement across the system."
Mr Radrodro said when vacancies arose, school heads submitted a Teacher Replacement Form and Recommendation Excel Form listing qualified teachers for vacant positions.
The recommendations were assessed by District Education Officers against the Teacher Criteria Guidelines before appointments were processed by the Ministry headquarters.
