‘Education system failed to guide students’

PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji’s education system has failed to guide students into a career path which has now resulted in Fijians depending on National Employment Centre and Pacific Labour Scheme programs for employment opportunities.

As a result, Mr Rabuka said he would discuss this matter with the Minister for Education Viliame Gavoka to ensure the system included policies similar to a monitoring program that would guide the students from primary to secondary and tertiary institutions towards their career paths.

“Australia and New Zealand have a system that throughout the education system, they already surveying the performance of various students already dictating or determining which way they should go when they finish secondary,” he said.

“And this will determine whether they will be good professionals, academically qualified professionals or not.

“This system we have never done in Fiji, but I believe some aptitude test should be done for various tertiary courses.”

Mr Rabuka said the education content in people going out into labour force and requirement of labour force are not usually met, thus the need for stakeholders to meet and discuss demands of the labour force and subjects required.

“Now we relying on NEC and PALM to find employment for our children coming out of school.

“Some wish to go into professional training, but do not measure up. They may have passed the exams, but whether they have right selection of subjects to make it easier for transition needs to be looked at.”

Questions sent to Ministry of Education permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca, Fiji National University vice-chancellor Unaisi Baba and former Education Ministry PS Amraiya Naidu remained unanswered