Education Minister Highlights How Coups Hurt Girmitiyas
WSadly, on 14 May 1987, on the anniversary of the arrival of girmitiyas, the first coup by Sitiveni Rabuka saw many descendants of the Girmityas leave Fiji. Premila Kumar Minister for Education
hile marking the 143rd anniversary of the arrival of the girmitiyas into Fiji, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Premila Kumar acknowledged the iTaukei chiefs and people for their kindness.
She thanked them for accepting the girmitiyas, whose descendants were now living side-by-side with them in peace and harmony.
While addressing students from various schools at the Civic Centre in Suva, she said: “Sadly, on 14 May 1987, on the anniversary of the arrival of girmitiyas, the first coup by Sitiveni Rabuka saw many descendants of the
Girmityas leave Fiji. The remaining Girmitiya descendants were made to feel like they were not as good as other Fijians and did not belong. These racial tensions and double standards, made life very difficult, once again.
“The 2000 coup that followed saw further brutality, mistreatment, and the loss of the fundamental human rights, which were under threat
— rights of freedom of speech, action, assembly, and religion.”
Ms Kumar told the students while it was important for the younger generation to enjoy freedom, prosperity, and unity, they must also appreciate that it did not come without a lot of pain, hardship, and struggle.
“Indentured labourers have done a lot to develop Fiji as a modern state. Their sacrifice and struggles nourished Fiji’s economy. We all must appreciate the contribution of the indentured labourers,” Ms Kumar said.
“Most of the Girmitiyas did not have any education, but they knew that to get out of the hardships they were facing, they must provide their children with a good education.
“A number of people worked very hard and managed to get Government grants with the provision of trained teachers, and the beginnings of a uniform curriculum for the children of the Girmitiyas.
“Although past leaders like Sitiveni Rabuka had divided this country on the basis of race, land, and religion, through our 2013 Constitution, introduced by the Bainimarama Government, we have been provided with security, are equal citizens, and are free to express our heritage without fear, as one nation and one people.”
She said girmitiyas deserved to be remembered for their work in education and socio-economic development of Fiji.
“The true identity of all Fijians came with our 2013 Constitution that allows everyone who is born in Fiji to have the right to be called a Fijian, regardless of race, religion, colour, gender, or socio-economic status. And this is the Fiji of today,” Ms Kumar said.