Ex-Educator Calls For Study On Teachers' Hours

A former Substance Abuse Advisory Council (SAAC) director has called for research on the hours boarding school teachers across Fiji spend supervising their students' extracurricular activities.

This was during the Education Review Act 1966 public consultation in Suva yesterday.

Misaele Driubalavu, who was SAAC director from 2003 to 2015 and a secondary school teacher, said critical data on teachers' burdensome responsibilities beyond their regular workload in the classroom was needed, but none were available to his knowledge.

"I taught at a very large government secondary school. I supervised more than 300 boys during my tenure, but it was very stressful," he said.

This was in addition to teaching 30 class periods every week.

"I don't think there are any statistics available. I suggest this solution so the Ministry of Education knows what teachers are experiencing," he said.

"Teachers are not only teaching, but they are also supervising students, the boarding process, sports, cultural and church activities and many other things."

Mr Driubalavu added that the data would then allow the ministry to provide the necessary support to boarding school teachers who are overwhelmed by their duties.

"Let's get this done - let's analyse the number of hours teachers are putting in so the ministry has a better picture of the challenges facing these teachers," he said.

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