The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts wishes to inform students who have passed Year 13 and are looking to apply for a programme of study, that the Ministry has a shortage of teachers in the following areas: Special and Inclusive Education, Early Childhood Education, and Primary teaching.
In Secondary Schools, the Ministry has a shortage of teachers in Maths, Physics, Computing, Physical Education, Music, Art & Craft and Industrial Arts.
The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Premila Kumar said “students should make informed decisions on which programme of study they wish to take. Although, interest is an important part in making this decision, it is essential that the qualification obtained at the end of their studies, will secure a job for them. Ultimately, a job is an essential part of progressing in life. So I urge students that it is not too late even now to relook at the programme they wish to enrol in”.
There is a surplus of teachers in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Accounting, Economics, Language and Literature, Geography, Home Economics, Agriculture and History who are still looking for teaching positions.
“This is what happens when we have a lot more graduates than what can be employed. This is why the Ministry wishes to inform students intending to take teaching as their area of study to choose wisely” she reiterated.
The 2022 TELS regulations 10 (8) states ‘if the quota is not reached for a Scheme, the Service (TSLS) must lower the cut-off mark to reach the quota. For example, the Engineering category quota for TELS is 300 awards with the cut-off marks of 280. In the event, 300 award quota is not filled with 280 marks after assessment, TSLS will lower the cut-off mark to meet the quota.
Where TELS category quota is filled with 280 cut-off mark, TSLS will not lower the cut-off mark.
The TELS regulations 10 (3) states where the number of applicants for each Scheme exceeds the quota, the applications should be processed based on the date of submission from the earliest submitted to the last until the quota is reached.
“TELS must raise awareness on the Regulations that govern TELS and National Toppers awards. This will help students and their families to understand how the schemes are delivered by TELS” the Minister added.
The Fijian Government has also allocated 5,000 awards for TVET programmes which is being administered by TSLS. The Fiji National University offers a wide range of programmes that students can select.