The second batch of retired Fijian teachers, who will travel to the Marshall Islands to teach there, were reminded of their role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
While presenting the air tickets at a ceremony today, the Public Service permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand said the volunteers will provide their service to further enhance their capabilities in the Republic of Marshall Islands’ education sector.
Mr Chand said the teachers, who are going under the Fiji Volunteer Service (FVS), will assist and be beneficial to the children of Marshall Islands.
“These retired teachers going on regional assignments have committed to go and serve in the Pacific Islands. These retired volunteers will be teaching Maths, History and English. The initial group of a dozen teachers that went to Marshall Islands, 10 of them were offered permanent contracts by the Government of Marshall Islands,” Mr Chand said.
“They came back after finishing their two years’ term and have gone back on substantive contract and salaries to go and teach in Majuro. Six more teachers will depart for the Marshall Islands later.”
Currently, there are nine teachers in Vanuatu, six in Nauru and nine in Tuvalu serving under the FVS, which takes the total number of Fijian volunteers in the Pacific Island countries to 34.
Mr Chand also said that with a budgetary allocation of $1million this year, FVS expanded its scope of coverage and now involve the engagement of unemployed graduates and experienced personnel in areas of national community interest.
“Through this program, 20 (with 10 initially being engaged) unemployed teacher graduates have been recruited under the scheme to work with the Ministry of Education by assisting the staff of the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council in the conduct of training and awareness programs in the areas of drug and substance abuse, non-communicable diseases, health promotion, HIV & AIDS, child abuse and other related social issues in schools and communities around the country.
“We also have as many as 30-40 local volunteers engaged in the areas of education, health, climate change and disability and we are thankful for the contributions they are making,” Mr Chand highlighted.
For 60-year-old, Maria Kalara Qiqiwaqa of Waiyavi, Lautoka, the opportunity to serve in Marshall Islands is a worthy one.
Having taught in Bua, in Rewa, and 15 years at Ra High School and 10 years until retirement at Jasper Williams High School in Lautoka, Mrs Qiqiwaqa said she is looking forward to working with the children of Marshall Islands.
“I am really happy and look forward to travel to Majuro and make use of the knowledge and experience I have gained in the past 34 years as a secondary school teacher. I have heard that the education system there is not as developed as what we have in Fiji so I happy to go out there and help somehow,” Mrs Qiqiwaqa said.
Mrs Qiqiwaqa and her three other colleagues, Mr Manoa Maqanatagane, Mrs Jieni Ravai and Mrs Vaseva Baba will depart Fiji next Monday.
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