Tudravu Challenges Educators, Universities
“When you talk about development, you talk about crime. When you talk about infrastructure development, you talk about criminal people using all these roads, sea and air,” Mr Tudravu said.
Saturday 18 January 2025 | 14:39
From left: Irimaia Rokosawa, Land Transport Authority chief executive officer, incoming Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu and chair of the Fiji National University council Semesa Karavaki at the Fiji National University conference at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau, Nadi on January 17, 2025. Photo: Fiji National University
Newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, has issued a challenge to educators and universities.
Commissioner Tudravu questioned if the education system was truly guiding youths or inadvertently turning them into criminals.
“I want to raise a warning here if we cannot act now there is a danger ahead of us. Are we really educating our youths of the challenges that are out there or are we turning them into criminals?”
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Mr Tudravu said this during his address at the 2025 Fiji National University (FNU) Conference at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau, Nadi, on Friday.
The conference, focused on resetting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education, highlighted the theme “Vualiku Project: Transforming Northern Development Through Education.”
Mr Tudravu, reflecting on his concerns, questioned the effectiveness of the current education system.
“All of us sitting here came through that education system,” he said, pointing to a need for introspection and reform.
As the chairman of the provincial council of Tailevu, Mr Tudravu asked: “What went wrong with our system?”
He emphasised that addressing the issue was critical as the country faces increasing challenges related to crime and social unrest.
He also noted the growing issue of drugs, especially in the north, and the complex relationship between development and crime.
“When you talk about development, you talk about crime. When you talk about infrastructure development, you talk about criminal people using all these roads, sea and air,” Mr Tudravu said.
Mr Tudravu also highlighted the lack of centralised data on the drug problem, calling for better research and cooperation from FNU to provide a clear picture of the situation.
“There is no centralised data. I haven’t seen any research on this. I hope that my fellow professors will assist me on this research that needs to be done,” he said.
The Commissioner also discussed the need for greater collaboration between FNU and the Fiji Police Force in capacity building. He proposes that FNU take over policing programmes, saying: “We built the curriculum to suit the environment that we live in. You have heard that we are having a reset.”
Mr Tudravu expressed a strong belief in the importance of TVET, particularly for iTaukei students.
“TVET is one of the ways forward here, especially for the iTaukei students. We need to change the mindset of our students,” he said.
In closing, Mr Tudravu reiterated his call for urgent action to address the growing concerns surrounding youth education and links to crime, urging educators and leaders to take responsibility for shaping a better future.
Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj
