Students Continue to Learn Under Tents

Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga is recommending immediate intervention from the Public Service Commission (PSC).

He said the three schools in the North, namely Valelawa Primary School, Yadua Village School and Laucala District School, still have pending issues regarding their classroom buildings which had not been addressed for many years now.

“Some of them are still studying in tents,” Mr Manumanunitoga said.

He said these issues needed addressing as soon as possible as students and teachers were suffering out there.

“If this cannot be addressed, then who do we blame? The Minister for Education and his Permanent Secretary should find a solution at the earliest.”

He said the FTA wished to emphasise how important the political will of any government was and it should be the honourable task of the minister to ensure that his permanent secretary follows his directives and instructions.

Call for teamwork

Mr Manumanunitoga calls for support and teamwork, especially the Minister and the Permanent Secretary’s office.

“There seems to be existing unsolvable differences between the two offices which are very detrimental to the education system in our country,” he said.

“The differences are not only affecting operations at the ministry’s headquarters but has affected the whole school system.”

He said the delay in free education grant; delay in teachers and school support staff acting appointments and contracts, shortage of teachers not addressed, and upgrading of salaries remain pending.

An email was sent to the Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro and his Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca on October 2 seeking information about Valelawa Primary School classes three to six happening in two separate recycled tents remained futile.

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