Seeking Education
Jan 19, 2005, 15:00
By Vijay Chand
Ministry of Information
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| Kaminieli Matayabone from Naluwai village in Naitasiri shopping for school text books with his grandson at the Government bookshop. |
It’s back to school as the entire nation prepares for yet another academic year.
Parents rush in to buy fresh supplies of school stationery, new text books, uniforms and in some cases seek new schools for their children.
Teachers in the same manner take up another year of challenge; while some seek transfers casting a hive of activities on the entire education system.
Fiji’s education system, without dispute is a complex one-a system where schools and the education systems have been set up under guidance and administration of various religious organisations.
Considering all the pros and cons of education system in Fiji, one can conclude that Fiji’s education system is a blend of cross-culture, multi –racialism and inter-denominational experience.
Education all over the world is an expensive affair and many view it today as an investment rather than as a need.
The increase in prices of text –books, transport and tuition has been a concern to many parents and many feel that the cost of quality education is becoming expensive day by day .
Government in its efforts to bring down the prices of text -books, engages the Ministry of Education’s resource centre and the Government Printer to print and distribute books.
The idea of printing and binding books at Government outlets is to ensure that costs are regulated so that the consumers, in this case the school children do not have to buy at a high cost.
Paula Sotutu the Director for Habitat for Humanity Fiji said a lot of people are wasting money unnecessarily buying brand new text books when they can easily obtain second hand ones.
A retired principal and social worker, Mr Sotutu agreed that prices of many school text books are exorbitantly high and that many low income earners can not afford all the books required in schools.
Organisations involved in education he said should open up second hand or used book shops where students could trade in or sell their used books.
Those who are not able to afford brand new books should use items from second hand dealers, he said.
The distribution of teacher and school ratio in Fiji is fairly competitive when compared to other developing countries.
Statistics for the year 2003 shows that the number of registered or recognised schools totaled 1,404.
Of this number there were 569 pre -schools, 17 special schools, 712 primary schools, 157 secondary schools, four teacher training colleges and 63 vocational centres.
The primary teachers’ establishment for the year was 5,129 and the number of civil servant teachers in secondary schools was 2,419.
A total of 70,616 students were enrolled in secondary schools in 2003 - 68,178 in straight classes i.e. in forms 1 to 7 and 2,429 in vocational courses.
A total of 7,016 students attended as boarders in 56 boarding schools.
Fiji is proud to have a high degree of community participation in the delivery of education services which is a strength of the system that needs to be maintained, which includes religion (Christian, Hindus, Muslims) and community organisations as well as local communities.
But this does not mean that Government has nothing to do with the education sector.
On the contrary, Government has an overall control in running of all schools, its staffing, curriculum development and school statutory affairs.
In the recent years, however controlling authorities of several community based and religious background schools have been passed back to them although staffing and curriculum remained government’s prerogative.
Unity for excellence in Education has been the theme for achieving quality education ever since the events of 2000.
The Minister of Finance and National Planning Ratu Jone Kubuabola highlighted education as a major priority area for Government with a total of $260 million allocated to the Ministry of Education in 2005.
This figure is an increase of $8.9 million when compared to last year.
In support of tertiary education, $35 million has been allocated to the University of the South Pacific; $8 million to the Fiji Institute of Technology; and $4.9 million to the Fiji School of Medicine.
Government, Ratu Jone said will continue to support Fee Free Education for classes one to form six.
Providing fee-free access to education is a key area that Government intends to expand into in order to fight poverty.
The move is not intended to benefit the education sector only, instead it will generate a ripple effect that will provide the nation with students who will qualify to be absorbed for higher education or get direct employment into various employable sectors.
"This is the first time sixth form students will get tuition fee assistance for which $2.3 million has been provided," Ratu Jone said.
In further support of secondary education, Government he said has allocated a total of $2.2 million for Compulsory Education, Remission of fees and Seventh Form Scholarship and Grants Scheme.
"For tertiary education, a sum of $1.6 million has been allocated to the Public Service Commission for scholarships.
This will be complemented by training and scholarships offered by AusAID worth $3.6 million.
AusAID’s contribution towards education sector in Fiji is a milestone achievement that has filtered down well throughout the country.
Local Programme Manager Dr Brij Lal said AusAID’s Fiji Education Sector Programme (FESP) is a $10 million three- year commitment towards education which commenced in 2003.
Under the scheme, AusAID funded programme is assisting the Fiji Ministry of Education implement strategic reforms to improve the delivery and quality of education in Fiji.
Dr Lal, a former school teacher and divisional education officer said the aim of the programme is to assist the Ministry of Education implement strategic reforms to an extent that the delivery and quality of education in Fiji, especially to the children in disadvantaged rural and remote communities is adequately met.
The quality of education so far, he admitted differed from division to division and from school to school.
"AusAID under the Fiji Education Sector Programme will fund relevant key sectors so that improved, balanced and quality education services are provided at all levels," Dr Lal said.
Last year, a series of programmes were organised by the donor agency which saw dramatic changes to Fiji’s academic system for the first time ever, said Dr Lal.
Citing example he said pilot projects in Early Chidhood education were organised in 30 schools in Suva /Nausori area and its results have been overwhelming.
To further boost extra curricula activities, some 30 schools in the Western Division have been assisted with a token grant of $500 to start off with some sort of income generating project.
Several schools, Dr Lal said have benefited from projects which ranged from self- sustainable poultry farms to small scale workshops .
The purpose of such project he said was not only to create an opportunity for competition amongst schools but to make students more aware of activities involved in operating a small scale venture and living to its morals.
On capital development and improvement of infrastructure, Government this year has allocated $1.1 million for the construction of a Form 7 College in Nasinu.
In addition, a sum of $150,000 will go towards a new school in Delainamasi for Special Education.
Similarly, $1.6 million has been set aside for upgrading of facilities in Government owned schools throughout Fiji.
Furthermore, $600,000 has been provided for the continuation of the Centres of Excellence Programme.
Government assistance to rural schools, like in previous years will improve infrastructure, staffing and provide tuition support.
On overall, a total staff establishment of the Ministry of Education, including Grant-in-Aid teachers, has been fully provided for in 2005.
The General Secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, Maika Namudu commended the budget allocation of $260 million to the Ministry of Education as timely and one that is fully justified.
Mr Namudu cautioned however that proper planing is needed in order to see that all schools around the country both in rural and urban areas get a fair share of the budget.
" Accessibility should be equal to each school around the centres in the next few year, " he said.
Namudu commended Government’s efforts and commitments to improving infrastructure of the schools, staff quarters, water supply system, transportation and communication to other centres.
He said the European Union aid of $5.4 million this year will allow further improvement to the education sector and it will have a long term benefit to the nation.
He mentioned that similar incentives will encourage teachers to work harder in the rural areas where demand for quality education is on rise.
Mr Namudu said the $260 million which has been allocated by Government to the Ministry of Education signifies the support and belief it has in development of Fiji’s education system.
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