Ministry Re-employs 286 Teachers

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has re-employed 286 teachers after the Government increased the retirement age from 55 to 60 years.

The ministry 2021–2023 annual report stated this includes 19 Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers, 190 primary school teachers, 81 secondary school teachers and 16 non-teaching staff.

This move is part of efforts to address workforce shortages and retain experienced teachers in the system.

Planning, policy and research officer Metuisela Gauna, who presented the report in Parliament on May 8, 2025, said the ministry had a workforce establishment of 15,887, but now has 13,396 staff actively serving.

The re-employment was supported by the repeal of the ‘No Jab, No Job policy’ allowing former employees to return if they wished.

The ministry also continued several other government initiatives during the reporting period, including free textbooks, school transport assistance, menstrual hygiene support for girls, and the back-to-school $200 assistance for students.

The ministry is also focusing on improving ECE, with plans to increase funding and possibly start pre-ECE programmes for children from birth to school age.

“This is about investing early in the lives of our children,” said acting permanent secretary Meli Nacuva.

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj