Positive and Tragic events Mark opening Week of school

In Education, the first week of the school year, has been marked by positive and sad events. We started on the brighter side with welcoming news that three principals caught in political controversy were embraced by their schools – teachers, students and parents.

The stakeholders showed clearly that the Opposition politicians, who criticised the appointments on the basis of race and religion were way off the mark.

It was evident they did not mind the background of school heads as long as they could help the students succeed in their academic pursuits.

Perhaps the flavour of the week is Arvind Prasad, Ratu Kadavulevu School’s (RKS) new principal. He was one of the three principals highlighted in the political debate by Opposition politicians.

He sacrificed seven weeks of his holidays to help get RKS ready for the start of the new school year.

He is a real patriot and gets our medal as the ‘Principal of the Week’ for his passion and commitment.

He was able, through his example, to rally all the stakeholders to help him prepare the school.

He inspired them to leave behind their political differences and unite for a common cause.

That’s real and true leadership at its best.

He has provided a lot of food for thought for teachers in their professional attitude. Mr Prasad has shown that there is no substitute for action.

If we can just focus on working to get things done, we can achieve more instead of whinging and moaning most of the time.

A lot of issues were brought out at the consultations for school heads around the country by the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar.

The issues boil down to school management. If they apply Mr Prasad’s philosophy, many of the issues can be resolved internally.

The arrival of Tropical Cyclone Tino is no doubt disruptive. Schools in the North closed yesterday in preparation for it making landfall.

There is going to be some damage, the full extent of which we will only know after the storm has passed. Already, its impact is being felt.

Nuku Secondary School industrial arts teacher, Napolioni Kaitavo (Senior) and his daughter Aliti are still missing after they were swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross a creek in Serua. The tragedy reminds us of the importance of the warning by authorities to stay away from flooded areas.

It is a cruel twist of fate that brings a dismal end to a mixed week.