The Minister for Education, Dr Mahendra Reddy, has described Opposition criticism of the Government’s Programme to set up a nationwide network of Technical Colleges as “breathtakingly ignorant” and says it underlines its unfitness to govern.
Dr Reddy said he had been shocked to hear the new Opposition member of Parliament, Mika Leawere, say that SODELPA opposed the establishment of the Technical Colleges because of the expense and that the iTaukei would not benefit from them.
“It is astonishing to hear SODELPA criticise a programme that is specifically designed to increase the skills base of our nation and benefit every Fijian. When I heard what the member said, I could scarcely believe my ears. Because this is a direct assault on the opportunity the FijiFirst Government is providing to increase the educational opportunities of everyone, including the iTaukei”.
The Minister said many Fijians of all ethnicities were already benefitting from the Technical College campuses that had been established in Suva, Nadi and Labasa and were being progressively rolled out across the country before the beginning of next year.
“The skills that young Fijians are gaining in the various trades are not only designed to train them for fulfilling careers but are an essential part of the Government’s Programme to lift the skills base of the nation, to enable Fiji to grow its economy and raise living standards for everyone. With this astonishing statement, this new SODELPA member in the Parliament has displayed not only ignorance but has underlined the intellectual bankruptcy of the Opposition and its unfitness to ever govern”.
Dr Reddy said Mr Leawere was attacking the very people whose welfare he was claiming to represent by undermining their ability to improve themselves.
“In essence, what this MP suggests is that Fijian young people be deprived of the opportunities this network of Technical Colleges is providing. Because that’s precisely what would happen if we abandoned this initiative. Fortunately, it isn’t going to happen for however long the Fijian people put their trust in the FijiFirst Government. Because unlike SODELPA, we have a vision to train our young people, build a stronger economy and increase the prosperity of everyone”, the Minister concluded.