As part of ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for students returning to school, students are being provided with support and assistance on multiple fronts.
Minister for Education, Premila Kumar, said that the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts has trained 913 Child Protection Officers in schools and counselors to provide psycho-social support, as the Ministry recognises that students may also require emotional and mental support.
“In addition to the usual support and assistance, as well as the COVID-safety protocols that have been implemented to keep students safe, we do not want to neglect the emotional and mental health of our students,” said Minister Kumar.
“Our students have experienced a very challenging period in their lives and may be facing difficulties adjusting to the return to school, which is why we are also providing psycho-social support.”
“The support has been ongoing since schools reopened for Years 12 and 13 on 1 November, 2021. The first week of school is being used to settle students into school routine, with psycho-social support provided to the students. There are 913 Child Protection Officers who have had basic training, and are identifying students who would need such support.”
“We also have 35 trained counsellors stationed throughout the Education Districts to provide this support, as well. Since the reopening from November 2021, a total of 257 students have been provided with psycho-social support. The provision of this support is still ongoing as the Ministry continues to receive students back into the school.”
The Minister emphasised that the support was not being forced on children and whether they wish to receive such support was the choice of the students and their parents.
"As far as the resumption of face to face classes itself is concerned, there is no need to train students to adapt to face to face classes when this is something that they have already mastered throughout the years before the long school closure. However, teachers have been advised to first identify the learning gaps of individual students in relation to the content that has been covered during the lockdown. Once the gaps have been identified, mitigations are then developed. This has been happening since November, 2021," added the Minister.
“The Ministry is closely monitoring the social and economic impact of COVID-19 and the recent flooding and tidal waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga on our students and the Ministry is working collaboratively with our Education partners in providing timely assistance.”
“Since the reopening of schools for Years 8 to 11, a total of 750 students have been identified to be in need of stationery and we are working closely with our education partner - Save the Children, Fiji - in providing this assistance.”
“We are communicating with our ECE to Year 7 parents to identify students who have been affected as well. Once this information is received, the list will be verified before confirmation of assistance is given.”
A total of 3,706 students are currently receiving lunch assistance facilitated by the Fiji Program Support Facility, which is sponsored by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
At the school level, individual schools are identifying students who need assistance, including the provision of lunch, stationery, uniforms, and similar items. Head of Schools and the Ministry have taken the initiative to liaise with various organisations and sponsors to assist their students.
Minister Kumar also reminded parents and guardians that the Government continues to provide support aimed at relieving parents of most of their financial responsibilities towards their children’s education.
“And of course, the Government is continuing with its initiative to assist through the Free Education Grant, which provides Free Tuition and other related expenses for all students, together with free textbooks and transport assistance,” she said.
The Minister also extended the Ministry’s gratitude to everyone who has helped with the students’ transition back to school.
“The Ministry appreciates the support that it has been receiving from our valuable partners including UNICEF, DFAT, NZ MFAT, Medical Services Pacific and Empower Pacific, our corporate sector, members of the communities, parents, school management and teachers,” said Minister Kumar.
"In circumstances like these, we can either talk or we can assist. This goes to show that those who are truly interested in the education of our children are already partnering with the Ministry to ensure our children’s return to school.”