‘Education Discrepancies’

Fiji’s Early Childhood Educa­tion (ECE) sector needs a thorough review of the re­sources allocated to them, says their Government minister, Aseri Radrodro.

The Minister for Education said there were “discrepancies” faced by ECE teachers in previous years, including low salary and inconsist­encies in the remuneration that they were being been paid over the years.

“They were given contracts, with the stated salary of $14,000 that they will be entitled to,” Mr Radrodro said.

“Unfortunately, the ECE teachers are paid hourly of $5, working five hours a day and sometimes their salary only amounts to $9000.”

Mr Radrodro revealed this while responding to an oral question asked by Opposition Member, Hem Chand.

Mr Chand asked Mr Radrodro on the steps being undertaken by the ministry to address the ECE sector, particularly the ECE curriculum, and salary of teachers.

“First is to review the hours of work, if they can work full hours,” he said.

He said vacant posts needed to be filled and set up direct channels of assistance to address ECE teach­ers’ future grievances.

He said there were only two desig­nated officers within the Ministry of Education looking after about 800 ECE schools in the country.

“There are positions that need to be filled such as director ECE, a principal officer and senior cur­riculum specialist,” Mr Radrodro said.

“These are some of the proposed posts during the education sum­mit. Senior education officer, re­search officer, and their nine dis­trict officers – advisors, that would see the smooth operation of ECE schools.”

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