West Education Office Caters For 550 Teachers At Literacy, Skills Test
More than 500 teachers from Lautoka, Nadi and the Yasawa Islands sat for the compulsory proficiency test at the Tilak High School gymnasium in Lautoka yesterday.
This was a part of the selection process put in place by the Ministry of Education to fill classroom teacher positions in schools nationwide.
Western Division acting divisional education officer Ratu Joseva Gavidi said the number of candidates was more than they expected, but they managed to cater for them. “We expected 500 candidates, but 550 turned up. Out of the 550 the highest number recorded (252) was for early childhood education, there were 101 vying for primary education positions and 200 for secondary education,” Mr Gavidi said. “The reason for an increase in the number of candidates could be the holiday period. Maybe it was accessible for teachers from other districts who are here to come and sit for the test. We catered for them this morning (yesterday).”
The tests had two parts - the first was a literacy examination that lasted 40 minutes and the second part was on job descriptions they applied for. Jason Taivaraga Qalobula, 22, a graduate from the Pacific Adventist University in Papua New Guinea was among the many candidates sitting the test.
He said it was something new to him, but overall it was something that would help existing teachers and new graduates as a whole.
“For us new graduates this will determine if we have the potential and also prepare us as we go out into the work field,” Mr Qalobula said.