FTU Outlines ‘Change of Curriculum’ Proposal
The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) will submit changes to the education curriculum to meet the geographical and cultural aspect of our country. FTU will get the opportunity to propose this during the education summit later this year.
FTU general secretary, Muniappa Goundar, said they would formulate this proposal during their executive meeting after the conclusion of the annual general meeting in Labasa.
Mr Goundar said the existing curriculum teachers used was not applicable to the geographical and cultural aspect for children.
“This will enable students to be at ease with understanding and learning through the curriculum giving teachers room to excel in sound settings,” he said.
Other policy changes and recommendations that FTU will table include:
The overpopulation issue in schools and whether certain changes to rezoning should happen to address this problem.
Job evaluation of teachers to be conducted at the completion of the Education Summit.
Mr Goundar said the Education Commission setup after the summit would possibly consider teacher job evaluation exercise to be incorporated to enhance the performance of teachers.
Complaints made by parents, about claims that teachers were not performing as expected with some allegedly under the influence of grog, alcohol and giving more preference to social media during teaching period.
Mr Goundar said teachers must practise a duty of care and responsibility of balancing their work and social life. Evidence or proof of their drinking the previous night is a challenge to confirm such claims, but teacher responsibility of retuning in a state of teaching is important.
“Our teachers know what is right and wrong,” he said. “We are always there for our teachers welfare and to disturb their social life is not part of our portfolio.” Mr Goundar took over the reins of general secretary from now Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh
Allowance
Mr Gounder said as part of the external resolutions brought forward during the AGM regarding enhancing rural and travel allowances, they would present this to the Ministry of Education for consideration.
The change in Government meant that FTU is now confident to work together with the ministry as educational partners to stimulate a win-win situation.
With the Coalition Government in power, he appreciated its collaborative approach to involve the union in related meetings.