Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Premila Kumar met with Tuvalu’s Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Honourable Timi Melei, yesterday (7/11/22).
It was an opportunity for both leaders to discuss ways to strengthen the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations in terms of education such as the Fiji Volunteer Service MOU. Given that the agreement signed on 25 April 2017 has expired, Fiji and Tuvalu intend to enter into a new agreement that will see the placement of retired Fijian Teachers in Tuvalu for 2 and a half years.
Minister Kumar reassured Honourable Melei that the Ministry of Education will try and help with the implementation of the new MOU.
The Minister shared the developments taking place in relation to Fiji's work on the 10-year Education Sector Plan (ESP) through the Global Partnership for Education funding with a detailed discussion on TVET education, e-learning, and teacher welfare – three major focus points for the ESP.
“I had the opportunity to emphasise the importance given to TVET education by the Fijian Government through the allocation of scholarships and the setting up of a Skills Council by the Fiji Higher Education Commission,” said Minister Kumar.
The Minister thanked Honourable Melei for the excellent meeting and hopes it will lead to many exciting benefits for both the Tuvaluan and Fijian education sectors.
“I look forward to working together with Honourable Melei and other Pacific Education Ministers due to our similar geographical locations, vibrant histories, and shared vision for a resilient, educated, and empowered Blue Pacific,” she said.
The Minister highlighted that collaboration with regional leaders is an integral part of planning for the future of our region due to the valuable insight we can get from our neighbours who share many of our challenges such as the adverse effects of climate change.