Letter of the month, letter of the year

IT’S 2021 and it’s the beginning of yet another year. Throughout 2020, letter writers were an integral part of the open columns. Opinions were raised and discussions focused on many topics throughout the year. The letters to the editor forum has quickly developed into a much anticipated and read sections of the newspaper, playing a critical role in national dialogue and raising issues of importance and in many instances assisting in development and giving various sections of society a voice.

It has been a very strong reflection of the pulse of the nation, providing the powers that be with varied opinions from a wide crosssection of people.

We are proud to be able to provide such a platform, allowing people irrespective of their status in society, their political leaning, religion, ethnicity and gender a level platform to voice their opinions on various issues. This column is about people speaking to the nation and to the powers that be. We thank each and every letter writer who contributed to this widely read section last year. While all letters are of equal value to us, there were some letters which deserved special recognition. Below are the list of letters of the month and letter of the year for 2020.

recently, because I believe she was caught between a rock and a hard place.

The rock is the intransigent policy of those calling the tune for the Education Department and the hard place the vote losing alarm of the school owner, managers, parents and the trade unions (see FT 03/02).

Ms Akbar is still dutifully claiming that appointments are on merit while everyone knows that the qualities she selects as “merit” are very narrow and exclude qualities that should be considered.

To trumpet that appointments, as she maintains are blind to religious qualification and therefore the ethos of the school, the parents’ wishes and the children’s own welfare, does her no credit.

That court order, based on our Constitution, to consult school authorities still stands.

Is she also between a rock and a hard place?

I hope the resignation of Ms Burchell will move the real government policymakers to renew once more their election commitment to a partnership with parents, religious groups and teachers.

It seems that Government needs to be reminded that they do not own our children. Children belong to their parents and they are not guinea-pigs for doctrinaire social engineering. Partnership, not dictatorship, is needed.

FR KEVIN MCGUIRE

Varani St, Suva