LETTERS

Education Fergus Garrett, Vatuwaqa

Recent changes in the human resources section of the Ministry of Education Heritage and Arts have only highlighted the ministry's determination to take almost complete control of all aided schools. Two aspects have ensured a 99 per cent takeover.

The first is the situation where teachers in aided schools are all civil servants under the complete control of the ministry with regard to placement and salary. This gives the schools NO CHOICE in filling staffing needs.

The second is the public examination system that gives very little choice in terms of subjects - in other countries students can study psychology, philosophy and religious studies, plus a range of foreign languages, as well as art forms such as music, drama and the fine arts.

On top of that, the ministry now wants to vet the managers of the schools. Unfortunately the owners of the schools have been very submissive in accepting this takeover.

An alternative publicly-funded education system would leave all expenditure to the owners and would have teachers in private employment (not State employees) available for the schools to hire and fire.

NFP leadership Premila Singh Suva

National Federation Party leadership seems to be losing it. From lamb chops to butter to beer.

Nubukalou Creek Tomasi Boginiso, Nepani, Nasinu

It’s about time the authorities secure funds to have Nubukalou Creek, in the centre of Suva, beautified.

It would be a difficult task, but it will be really worth it.

Many cities in the world have creeks running through them, to the extent that they are often a tourist attraction. We need to get expert advice on how to turn Nubukalou into a major attraction for the city of Suva.

Firstly, the public needs to get its act together and stop throwing rubbish into the creek. Eateries need to control their waste water outlet or maybe treat the creek as your home, stop spitting, stop dumping, stop littering and respect the living creatures in the creek.

If Japan can have fish in their drains why can’t we save our creek? Creeks are common in a few towns in Fiji they need to be treated the same way.

In Suva the smell itself tells the story, the unpleasant smell signifies the content of the creek.

Hopefully in future we could see “love boats” such as the European cities on Nubukalou Creek or maybe some flower boats.

Equal representation Sukha Singh, Labasa

In an advertisement a women's organisation is calling for equal representation. My only advice for them is form your own women's party and contest the election.

FCCC Probe Edwin Sandys, Namadi Heights

I note with appreciation the work the FCCC is doing and am so pleased we have a unit to investigate the complaints by consumers in the West and North. Well done FCCC.

“Such initiatives were put in place by Government to allow those who are less fortunate in rebuilding and recuperating post natural disaster".

Could I ask that this same initiative is put in place for the less fortunate who suffered after Cyclone Winston who have paid for their goods, but have to date not received it?

Those who have not received all their goods, but have paid for it are urged to lodge their complaint with FCCC or the consumer council urgently.

No God Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka, Nadi

God is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent.

God manifests himself in many indescribable manners and ways where one of which is through our world-acclaimed Fijian 2013 Constitution.

It is designed by leaders and men chosen and created by the Great Lord Jehovah in his image and likeness, but the claim in Parliament from SODELPA MP Ro Kini Kiliraki is senseless, unchristian and disrespectful to the Christian faith and religion.

Kiliraki contradicts himself and all those from that side of the august house. They consistently use God’s name in vain and it has never worked in their favour.

God will punish those who use his name for their convenience or to further their political agenda and they do it as a front to frighten people.

The national election is just around the corner and watch God at work when the dust settles.

He works in very mysterious ways and it is elimination time for unproductive members of Parliament, but do not be disappointed Ro Kini.

I would like to challenge MP Kiliraki and MP Karavaki to please show where God is in them and their life.

Termite problems Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

So finally Biosecurity of Fiji has admitted that the Asian Subterranean Termite is also in Labasa.

The question is how did it get to Labasa from Tavakubu in Lautoka?

Are the biosecurity officers checking inter-island vessels?

Many questions can be asked but I am sure nobody will be able to give the answer because from the day the subterranean termites arrived into the country until it started destroying homes in Tavakubu the then Quarantine Fiji officials were just blaming each other. Some of the people from pest control background are still around today and will be able to relay what actually went wrong because of someone's negligence.

It will not be long till this destructive Asian Subterranean termites will destroy more houses around our country. All we can do is take precautions nothing more.

Speciesism Jenny Moxham, Victoria, Australia

Why should a human life be deemed worthy of saving, but a non-human life be deemed worthless?

Last week as people around the world including me - rejoiced following the rescue of the Thai children trapped in the cave, I reflected on this question.

I couldn't help thinking about the millions of other youngsters who are currently trapped - trapped inside our grim and gloomy factory farms.

These frightened youngsters never escape from their “caves” alive, yet they don't want to die terrifyingly and painfully any more than human children do.

“Broiler chickens” still have their baby blue eyes when sent to their hideous and cruel death and pigs are just six months old when sent to slaughter.

Where is our compassion for these innocent, vulnerable youngsters?

If we have sympathy for humans, but none for non-humans - who feel pain in exactly the same way - aren’t we guilty of speciesism?

And isn’t speciesism - discrimination against another solely on account of its species - just as indefensible as racism, or sexism?