Back to school initiative

I WISH to thank Rabuka Government for the $200 assistance to purchase school related items for the 2023 academic year.

It will greatly assist parents to meet the needs of their children for the new school year.

The onus is on parents now to ensure that every single cent is spend on the child, buying of bags, books, uniform, shoes etc. Some of them may have a pair of shoes for the first time.

Having said that, I wish to make some observations regarding the Circular No.2/2023.

I found the contents of the circular to be very disrespectful to the hard working heads of schools.

The tone is also very threatening. The PS, in her circular, writes “Heads of Schools are to ensure that the forms submitted are updated on FEMIS the same day the application is received. Failure to comply with the direction from the ministry will result in disciplinary actions.”

What a joke!

Schools deal with hundreds of students. How does the PS expect the head to enter all information on the same day?

The PS Education, instead of pleading and making requests, goes onto the vindictive path.

Doesn’t the PS know that HoS are on holiday?

And they have the right to use their leave in the manner they want. Many have travelled outside their school district to be with their parents, friends etc.

I have been to some schools in Nausori and have seen HoS and staff busy assisting parents.

I salute all HoS and teachers who have sacrificed their well-earned holiday to assist parents.

I wonder what the two teacher unions have to say regarding Circular No.2/2023.

And yes, the new honourable Minister for Education should swiftly act to put a stop to the unwarranted threats on teachers coming from the ministry. ARUN PRASAD

Dilkusha, Nausori