A Class 6 student of Navua was selling “roti” at the Ministry of Education’s Marela House last week and when asked why she was not at school, she told a Ministry official that she has completed her examinations.
While there may be factors surrounding this young girl’s selling food in offices around Suva, the Ministry of Education would like to remind parents that the end of examinations does not necessarily mean the end of school.
Term 2 ends on August 21.
These remaining weeks are spent on remedial and revisional classes, especially when most schools have just completed their Mid-Year or Term 2 Examinations.
Government is paying free tuition for all primary and secondary school students. It will have to see that all students are in school till the end of each academic Term.
In this regard, parents have a huge responsibility to oversee the welfare of their children- from schools fees, uniform, stationery, food, bus fare and other expenses. This is not the child’s duty.
Children should not be forced or made to look after the family’s welfare, when they are still too young to be burdened with such a responsibility.
The Ministry encourages all parents to continue sending their children to school as there are two more weeks before the Term 2 break.
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.