Who will be the real loser?
Taitusi Sokiveta, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Before closing 62 Catholic schools, think of all the children.
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Where are they going to get their education? The other schools can only take so many until they are full.
Sixty-two educational institutions are a very large number. It will affect the whole country.
Are politicians and religious leaders aware of the outcome and consequence of their decision and the devastation?
The effect on our children attending Catholic schools around the country.
Forget the teachers and principals, they can always get another job. It’s the children who will be the real losers here.
It’s like Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi with their huge ego and pride, shutting the US government down.
Now hundreds of thousands of federal employees and their families are suffering economically because they are not getting paid.
All religious politicians and leaders need to have a meeting and find solutions to this problem.
Education is important to our children and their future, having someone interfere because of their own personal agenda is not acceptable.
God said no one can be saved by ignorance and the glory of God is intelligence. Keep all the Catholic schools open for the sake of our children in Fiji. Thank you.
Schools closure
Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi
I hope the Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, will present their issues to the Fijian Government with a low agenda on school closure (FS 23/1).
Being responsible for Catholic Education in Fiji, I hope good sense prevails.
But one thing is assured, members won't be happy about the removal of religious liberty.
‘The Pacific Way’ solution
Ronnie Chang, Nadi
After much thought, silent reflection and prayer, I am now of the self-belief that the impasse, without vital prior consultation between the Permanent Secretary for Education, Alison Burchell, reform consultant Jane Curran and the Catholic Church under our Good Shepherd, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, that this heavy-handedness involving our respected principals from both our Western Division secondary schools, Xavier College in Ba and Saint Thomas High in Lautoka, can be amicably resolved in "The Pacific Way".
In the true spirit of the internationally acclaimed COP23 "talanoa (discussion) session" and recently mentioned, "Vuvale (family) Partnership", a bati ni tanoa vosa matua (a rational discussion over the yaqona bowl) between the Right Honourable Prime Minister and His Grace, the Archbishop is the only way forward.
Respectfully, we do not need foreigners or expatriates to preach to us about secularism, human rights and anti-discrimination.
Generally, we are peace loving and law-abiding citizens in a land dubbed, ‘The Way The World Should Be’. We are patient, tolerant and understanding.
We are older and wiser enough to handle this sad impasse "Our Pacific Way" without all this undue fear, favour, bias, malice and hurtful exchanges.
I pray that good sense prevails.
Catholic school principals
Christopher Griffin, Perth, Australia
Religion or faith in schools, the Permanent Secretary says, is value-added". A sort of top-up. Take it or leave it according to taste.
Yet that's not how believers such as Catholic teachers, parents, and a lot of others see it.
Faith to them and others like them is not an extra or add-on. It is the ground on which education - knowledge and understanding of the world - is built.
Alison Burchell has it the other way around! She erases what (like it or not) is essentially Fijian: religiosity, its emotional support, moral compass, and social cement.
There is a difference between religion and faith. You can be knowledgeable about another religion without believing in it.
Religion is a system of beliefs and practices concerning what is good and godly. Faith is personal and collective belief in such a system.
For this reason, faith-based schools, like the Catholic ones, insist on principals and head teachers who adhere to and practice their faith.
Practices that include being open and respectful to people of other faiths, including those studying or teaching in their own schools.
If faith-based schools in Fiji are not barred to teachers of other faiths cannot be led by good educationists who are persons of faith then policy and sectors of the community will remain at loggerheads.
In Catholic eyes, faith is necessary, but not sufficient qualification when it comes to school leadership.
Ipso facto technical qualifications alone are insufficient, evidential faith is also required.
The record of Catholic education about which others have eloquently attested, and which for generations has served inter-faith tolerance and respect, speaks for itself.
Politicians and policy makers should listen more closely and speak up.
Rugby reflections
Floyd Robinson, Nasinu
Did the weather at the weekend take fans at the 2019 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast tournament by surprise?
Well, in terms of climate change, this is a reality but for some of the players and coaches it may mean a wake-up call.
They may need to have back-up rugby boots with thicker, if not longer studs, which would help them manoeuvre their way through waterlogged sections of the field.
Meanwhile, one wonders whether the health and safety measures were compromised when players were allowed to play in such conditions.
One fisherman joked that he could have cast his net for some tilapia and prawns in waterlogged sections of the field.
Watching on television, one was surprised with the high number of yellow cards arising from the high and late tackles.
The match between Police and Tabadamu almost turned into a boxing match on several occasions as some players gave way to their emotions and wanted to play with their fists.
All in all it was a rugby tournament of reflections but most importantly, the rugby fans at Lawaqa Park and those glued to their television sets were not deterred by the weather.
Congratulations to the organiser and sponsors of the 2019 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast.
A big vinaka to participating teams for braving the weather.
One looks forward to bigger and better games come 2020.
E-Transport fine
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Before the e-transport cards were introduced no one mentioned anything about the $150 fine for not paying your appropriate bus fare.
Please Land Transport Authority, if you have to fine someone just make it reasonable.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj
