Teacher shortage hurting education, MP warns

Schools across Fiji are struggling with a shortage of qualified teachers, threatening the quality of education for students, Opposition MP Hem Chand says.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Mr Chand said staffing shortages were still affecting many schools weeks after the new academic year began.

“Six weeks into the school term, the Ministry of Education is still struggling to resolve these issues across Early Childhood Centres, Primary Schools, and Secondary Schools.”

He said improving education standards required adequate staffing and support for teachers.

“High quality education can only be delivered when Schools across Fiji have the required number of teachers in schools.”

Mr Chand said many teachers were leaving the country for overseas employment.

“Schools in Fiji are struggling due to the shortage of qualified teachers. Teachers have resigned and left for jobs abroad.”

He said pay increases had not been enough to retain teachers.

“The little pay rise for teachers is not enough to cushion the high cost of living and many teachers are leaving for jobs abroad, particularly in Australia and New Zealand.”