More teachers leaving for better pay overseas

Fiji could soon face a shortage of teachers as more educators look for jobs overseas.

Education leaders are warning that the number of teachers leaving the country is likely to increase in the next few years.

Many teachers are being offered better pay and working conditions in other countries.

Some offers include salaries of more than FJ$90,000 a year, along with free housing, electricity, and water.

These benefits are much higher than what teachers receive in Fiji.

At the same time, teachers at home are dealing with growing challenges. These include large class sizes, poor student behaviour, and safety concerns in classrooms.

Fijian Teachers Association general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga said many teachers feel stressed and unsupported.

He has met with teachers across the country, and says most of them are unhappy with current conditions.

“They are dealing with difficult situations every day,” he said. “Some are even being threatened in classrooms.”

With better opportunities overseas and difficult conditions at home, many teachers are choosing to leave.

This has raised concerns about the future of Fiji’s education system. Teacher migration is expected to rise sharply next year.

Mr Manumanunitoga said social media is now full of overseas job offers for Fijian teachers. These jobs offer higher pay and better living conditions.

In Fiji, teachers often pay for their own housing and utilities. Only some rural teachers receive support.

He said the impact of teachers leaving could be serious. Schools may face staff shortages, larger classes, and declining education quality.

Fiji has already dropped in regional rankings for literacy and numeracy. Education leaders say losing more teachers could make the situation worse.

The association is calling on Government to improve salaries and working conditions to keep teachers in the country.

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