The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA) is advising all parents and guardians that new enrolments for Early Childhood Education, Year 1 and Year 9 for the 2022 academic year, will be carried out as per the policy on School Zoning in Fiji.
During this time of the new normal, this policy would help to reduce overcrowding in classrooms and help to keep students safe - which is always our main concern.
This policy will also enable the Ministry to make the best use of the existing networks of schools and educational resources, remove social stratifications in the student enrolment process, help to improve the overall performance of schools, and ensure an equal distribution of students.
The Ministry hopes that the implementation of this policy will also play a part in helping parents as their children will be enrolled in schools that are not too far from home.
The policy will also go a long way in helping to allow the Ministry to administer fair and proper transport assistance to students as well.
Exceptions can be made for students, preferences for certain subject combinations, one or both parents being a teacher at the specific school, or for any other exception, as per the policy, with approval given by the Permanent Secretary of Education.
With the education of our students being hindered for nearly a year due to a global pandemic, a Tropical Cyclone, and the impacts of natural disasters within the region, the Ministry is requesting the support of all parents and guardians in getting our students back in the classrooms in a safe manner.
The past year has not been an easy one for any of us, especially our students and while we are working hard to make the transition back to face to face learning for our students as easy and safe, we ask that our parents and guardians support us as best as they can during this process.