With only two days before Christmas, the Education Ministry calls on the nation to step up our support for our children, especially the disadvantaged or those from low socio-economic background. Also included are the children, whose families were affected by the devastation, caused by Tropical Cyclone Mick.
In this regard, humility and compassion are two qualities that should take centre stage for all families in Fiji.
Christmas is a special occasion for Christian families around the globe and marks the celebration of God’s love for man in giving His only Son, Jesus Christ, to teach man to live a humble and compassionate life for all people.
That is also the spirit that all families, especially our parents, should show our children, this festive season; a time to realign and focus our priorities on our future leaders. Perhaps, this is the best time for family members to seek forgiveness from one another and set a new roadmap of love and compassion for everyone.
With the increasing number of degrading abuse cases in which children were victims, the Ministry is hopeful that the message of Christ’s birth should provide a guiding a light and a lesson for all to ensure our children are safe and happy in their schools, communities, villages, towns and cities.
The Ministry trusts that this would be a Christmas with a difference for all families in Fiji. A time to set our courses right, make amends with family members and move forward for the sake of the children in our families.
It would indeed be the best gift parents and guardians could ever give to their children. For with a humble spirit, we renew our commitment towards their education, their welfare at home and equally important is their guidance and motivation towards making responsible choices in life.
Christmas would also be a great opportunity for our teachers to emulate the many wonderful and enlightening gifts of teaching Jesus lived and practised. Again he lived a humble and compassionate life. It is through these two virtues that a teacher gets to understand children’s nature.
Finally, to all students, teachers, parents and guardians, school committees and school managements, the Ministry extends its best wishes for Christmas and the coming New Year.
Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.