All NGOs and groups with vested interest in schools must seek the approval of the Ministry of Education before organising any activity in a school.
On the same note, any published material that they would like to distribute to schools should be approved first by the Ministry.
The Ministry of Education is greatly concerned at the high number of NGOs and other organizations that have infiltrated the school system without proper authorization by the Ministry, and as a result, have unnecessarily disturbed the normal flow of operations in schools.
Moreover, certain messages that are given to students could, in some way, turn out to lead students in the wrong direction.
The Ministry would like to advise that subjects that are taught and programs that are organised in schools are done considering the welfare and stage of life of the students.
The Ministry of Education is the custodian of education in the country and is responsible for the proper nurturing of all children in schools in accordance with its vision and strategies.
The Ministry is observing an increasing number of NGOs wishing to talk to students in schools on topics of democracy and human rights. The Ministry is fully aware of the nature of operations of NGOs in the country, especially when they are vehicles behind the mandate of their donors.
The Ministry would like to inform all NGOs in the country that we know what is best for students in schools to learn and be exposed to. People who work in NGOs are not educators nor have taught in schools to understand how students develop and learn.
The Ministry has embedded in the curriculum for schools the teaching of values, morals and ethics which build them up to be better citizens of Fiji with love for each other, understanding for each other’s differences, care for their environment and standing together as one united people of our beautiful Fiji.
In this regard, the Ministry will have to take a firm stand against external pressures, which will not only protect our students but more importantly, will ensure that they are guided in the right direction at school.
Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.