Principals’ Leader Poses Questions on Best Practices

The two-day meeting for school heads was designed to be a platform for the intellectual exchange of ideas

Are our schools a safe place for students? Is quality teaching and learning effectively carried out in our schools? Are our teams motivated to deliver? Are we achieving the intended outcomes?

The questions were posed by the Fiji Principals Association (FPA) president Miriama Naicegucegu at the opening of the FPA’s 121st conference on Wednesday night. The two-day conference was designed to be a platform for the intellectual exchange of ideas for the enhancement of leadership skills for school leaders.

Mrs Naicegucegu said: “In light of many changes coming our way, such a gathering is vitally important to be informed of the best practices, motivate one another and encourage the emerging leaders.

“Changes are inevitable and are taking place at a pace and scale we have not expected or seen before.

“School teachers have a critical role to play in ensuring that teachers and students develop a mindset and value system that responds to change with resilience.

“We need to prepare our students for a very different type of world and build in them the resilience and adaptability to get on the right track. “New models of teaching need to be implemented, new skills and innovative ideas to be developed to enable our students meet the changing trends in the job market.” The theme of the conference is Sustainability, Resilience and Employability. Mrs Naicegucegu also added that the standing of a school was truly a reflection of its leader. “Let us be encouraged to share the best and workable practices for the achievement of quality education in our schools,” she said. Education Permanent Secretary Alison Burchell encouraged the principals to work together and encourage each other.

She emphasised the importance of recognising the work of their staff who are going an extra mile in their work. “Recognise those teachers who are performing,” Ms Burchell said. The conference ends today.

Photo: Selita Bolanavanua Permanent secretary for Education Alison Burchell (fifth from right), Principals Association (FPA) president Miriama Naicegucegu (fourth from right) with FPA management.