Government applauded for prioritising education

Our Government's initiative in enhancing the education system was clearly reflected in the budgetary allocation and the programmes implemented by the Ministry of Education in recent years.

Education is the bedrock of a nation's growth and development.

The importance of education to a nation cannot be over emphasised.

The history of the developed countries provides clear evidence that a knowledge based economy, built on the foundation of a qualitative educational system, is the backbone of development and growth. Education is undoubtedly the gateway to the world of possibilities and the opener to the path of achieving greatness and prosperity.

We must thank the FijiFirst Government for prioritising education.

Our Government's initiative in enhancing the education system was clearly reflected in the budgetary allocation and the programmes implemented by the Ministry of Education in recent years.

These programmes have helped low income earning families continue sending their children to school with lesser financial burden on them.

The Fijian people, no matter where they are located in Fiji, are now given access to all forms of education based on the key pillars of fairness, equality and quality. Minister for Education and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has set out strict directives for the distribution of textbooks and eTransport cards to students before the start of the 2018 School Year, and instructed that remaining vacancies for school heads and classroom teachers be filled with qualified applicants as soon as possible.

It is a fact that in the past at the beginning of the new school year, some of the schools were not prepared. Teachers not turning up, lack of school equipment, classrooms were not ready, no teachers' quarters, and so on.

We're glad to know that Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is not accepting this now he is minister. He has directed education staff to work more closely with school heads in arranging the delivery of free textbooks and eTransport cards so that students could hit the ground running when they return to school on January 15, 2018.

In order to fill outstanding vacancies for classroom teachers in primary schools, the A-G has directed education staff to hold consultations with the Fiji National University and other institutions to ensure aspiring teachers receive their final test results by late December, so that they can be screened and appointed before the start of Term 1.

Parents and students should be reminded that the end of the school holidays is in sight, and the school routine will soon be in full swing.

And while some parents may be about to breathe a sigh of relief that they'll soon get a break from having to provide childcare and/or constant entertainment for their kids, they should bear in mind that the start of a new school year needs preparation.

There's all the obvious stuff of course, such as buying a bigger school uniform and perhaps succumbing to demands for new pencil cases and character lunchboxes.

But as well as buying the right kit, parents need to prepare their children, and particularly the younger ones, for the new school year.

The new school term commences on January 16, 2018, in Fiji.