First of all the Ministry of Education congratulates Sonal Anand in her passing the FSFE with high marks in the article titled ‘Higher achiever stays home’ published in the Fiji Times Tuesday (02/01/10) edition. This is the kind of performance the Ministry wishes to see all students in Fiji achieve.
However, the Ministry wishes to clarify a few things over the argument Fiji Times is posing that despite Sonal’s high marks, she was not selected either for FSN or FCAE nor given a scholarship.
The public ought to know that when it comes to award places in both institutions, a student must be well versed with either vernaculars (Fijian or Hindi). The reason is, after training, graduates will be posted to schools or nursing posts where either language is a medium of communication.
Secondly, it was by way of a cabinet decision passed last year that all students enrolled to both institutions must be subjected to a quota system. There is a certain percentage given to students from urban areas and another for students originating from rural and remote areas. Then there is a gender ratio that is also considered in each geographical factor.
Thirdly, there is an interview panel which all applicants must go through. A student may have scored high marks but if he or she is ineffective in the interview, then that is a problem.
Obviously, Sonal may have not done well in the areas highlighted. The Ministry of Education wishes her and many others who may not have been highlighted that life does not stop at failing to secure a place in FCAE of FSN or not getting a scholarship.
For Sonal to re-sit FSFE to improve her marks so she can get a place at either tertiary institution is inadvisable because it would be a waste of time and resources.
However, the Ministry of Education is encouraging her to take up offers the newspaper reported are being given to her by some people.
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Mr Filipe Bole.