Schools not serious about career classes, Ministry survey reveals

Secondary schools have failed to take advantage of career classes for students, although enlisted in the curriculum.

A survey conducted by the careers section of the Ministry of Education revealed that only 72 secondary schools out of 176 had taken the career education classes seriously.

The survey, carried out three years ago, also discovered that career classes were being used for revision or subject coverage.

It also revealed that Fijian children are talented, but they needed to maximise these (talents) and balance with their academic abilities to go far in life.

Fiji National University head of Labasa campus Pradeep Lal said teachers must change their mindset.

“We must change and to conform to changes that are evolving,” Mr Lal said.

“We need to start teaching and taking careers education seriously in order to ensure our children and our future leaders are ready for the future. “Most Year 13 students are not definite of the kind of careers that are linked to their subject combinations.”

Mr Lal said many students were still relying on their parents to decide careers for them. “The survey also showed that schools do not keep a database of where students have gone after completion of Year 12 or Year 13,” Mr Lal said. “How many secured scholarships on loans schemes and programmes of studies pursued. “Most have fallen short along the way and lost their dreams due to substance abuse, peer pressure and lack of moral and financial support.”

He said there was a pressing need for careers and employability education to be improved in the country.

Fiji National University Labasa Campus held a career expo at the Labasa Civic Centre that allowed students to gather vital information on the different job pathways they could venture into after graduation. Present at the Expo were CJ Patel, Land Transport Authority, National Fire Authority and different Government ministries.