Teachers call for urgent reform

Teachers are calling for an urgent policy reform following student behaviour, teacher shortages and declining education standards in Fiji.

Fiji Teachers Association (FTA) general secretary Paul Manumanunitoga said immediate action was needed to address the pressures facing classrooms across the country.

He urges policymakers to review and strengthen education policies to better support teachers and restore discipline in schools.

Mr Manumanunitoga believes current policies have weakened the authority of both teachers and parents, making it harder to manage student behaviour.

“The rights of the child should not override the rights of parents,” he said, adding that a better balance is needed.

He also raised the controversial issue of reintroducing corporal punishment in a controlled and regulated form, describing it as a possible deterrent to serious misconduct.

“We are not talking about abuse,” he said. “We are talking about structured discipline.”

Teachers under pressure

The call for reform comes as teachers report worsening conditions in schools.

Through nationwide meetings, Manumanunitoga said many educators were struggling with indiscipline, threats, and even the presence of drugs in classrooms.

“I hear no good stories. It’s all bad.”

Some teachers, he said had resorted to focusing only on students willing to learn, leaving disruptive students aside in order to continue lessons.

At the same time, Fiji is facing a growing risk of teacher shortages. More educators are leaving for better-paying jobs overseas, with offers that include high salaries and additional benefits.

“These are push factors,” Mr Manumanunitoga said. “If conditions don’t improve, more teachers will leave.

The challenges are also reflected in student performance. Fiji, once a leader in education in the Pacific, has seen a drop in rankings for literacy and numeracy.

“Before 2010, we were number one,” he said. “Now we have fallen behind other countries in the region.”

Mr Manumanunitoga linked school issues to broader national problems, including rising drug use and crime. He warned that without stronger rules and leadership, these challenges will continue to grow.

“What kind of Fiji do we expect in the next ten years?” he asked.

He stressed that Fiji must take control of its own future by creating policies that reflect local needs, rather than relying on external influence.

“We must decide what is best for our country,” he said.

With classrooms under strain and teachers warning of a system under pressure, the call for policy change is becoming more urgent before the situation worsens further.

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj