The Minister for Education, Heritage & Arts, Premila Kumar, met the Divisional and District Education officers from Central, Eastern and Western Division to discuss their roles and responsibilities, and how they can improve service delivery at the ground level. This meeting was held after her discussion with the Northern Education Officers during her visit to the North last week.
The Minister stressed the importance of being informed on the Ministry’s policies, plans, programmes, procedures and legislations to be able to support the schools in delivering quality education to students. Division and District officers implement, support, monitor, and report on the work being carried out by Heads of Schools and teachers throughout Fiji.
“You are the conduit between the schools and the Ministry to facilitate the Ministry’s core business of learning and teaching. Divisional and District office are the support centres to provide decentralised services to the teachers, Head of Schools and the School Management Committee. You are to provide effective direction, facilitate resourcing, and support to meet the outcomes set by the Ministry,” said Minister Kumar.
She challenged the officers to assist the Heads of Schools to build, create and maintain a conducive learning environment.
“I wish to see the transformation in education through your effective roles and responsibilities. If we continue with the archaic way of doing things that we have been doing, then we will be left behind. We need to continue implementing the reforms to realise the vision,” said Minister Kumar.
Divisional and District officers were briefed on new policies and programmes and how they can achieve the deliverables. The officers were asked to engage more with Heads of Schools to ensure that learning and teaching remains the core priority of all schools and all resources are available in schools.
The Minister acknowledged the work of the Divisional and District officers and encouraged them to reflect, rethink, and redesign their plans to better serve schools and the communities in their designated areas based on policies and procedures.
She also extended her best wishes for Christmas and New Year to all the officers.