Our education dilemma

THE Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has made a point that is worth discussing. He believes there has to be a review of the education curriculum in primary and secondary schools.

He hopes to see a better support system for students to choose careers.

PM Rabuka described the education system as one that has failed to guide students into a career path, resulting in many opting for seasonal work programs.

He pointed out what he feels is a different system in Australia and New Zealand, that we could learn from. The two countries, he said, have something, that throughout the education system, they were surveying the performance of various students, and already dictating or determining which way they should go when they finish high school. “We have never done this in Fiji,” he said.

His call has been supported by the Fijian Teachers Association general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga who believes students should be provided guidance from primary school.

These statements come in the wake of one made by the permanent secretary for the Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca in January this year.

Ms Kuruleca raised an important challenge for us all. Her line of thought touched the very heart of education, and meandered through several scenarios we may have to reflect on.

She insisted last year’s Year 8 pass rate should serve as a wake-up call for the ministry, parents, and students across the nation.

While the 67 per cent pass rate was “disheartening”, Ms Kuruleca urged us to step up and work together to achieve better pass rates in 2024.

She wants to see an increase in percentages.

In January 2020, we learnt that the majority of students who entered high school were either non-readers or slow readers. It was a shock to the system and to many Fijians. It was a major concern at the time.

The claim was made by a high school principal during a heads of schools meeting at the Vunimono hall, Nausori that week. The issue, he felt, was a tragedy for Fiji. He often got emotional, he said, while trying to work out ways to help students who entered his school with literacy issues.

The problem, he pointed out, was not unique to his high school. At the time, he claimed it was a national issue and the Ministry of Education had to find a way to immediately address it.

With all these comments coming out, we should assist our teachers.

Let’s help set the base at home, embrace the experience of our teachers, try and understand their work, and play our role to the best that we can, to help them nurture and develop our children at school.

That means taking an active role in nurturing a habit among our young children to appreciate education, appreciate teachers, and appreciate how a good foundation can play a very important role in their lives as they grow up.

We’ve said this before, let’s start conversations around the importance of education.

Let’s focus on getting a strong base for advancement to high school and eventually to tertiary education. Let’s support our teachers.

That may mean keeping a tab on mobile phone usage, encouraging reading, engaging in family discussions, promoting awareness about hardship, and how we can overcome challenges and showing interest in school work.

It will mean the powers that be considering financial constraints and challenges as well.

We can either accept that the education system as it is right now, is fine, or we relook at improving it for the sake of our children and subsequently our nation.

But we must talk about it!