Ten teacher graduates have undergone a three-week training program to facilitate their assistance with the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council’s (NSAAC) community and school based awareness and educational programs.
These programs by the NSAAC address critical social issues such as HIV/AIDS education, alcohol and substance abuse, child abuse, violence against girls and women and lifestyle diseases.
Public Service permanent secretary Parmesh Chand officiated as Chief Guest at the closing of the workshop that was held in Nadave, Tailevu, confirmed that this training and dispatch of the graduates, was a first of its kind.
“This is a new area for the Ministry of Education and PSC and our intention is to reach out to rural communities through district education and administrative officers…”
Mr Chand also said that the NSAAC Volunteer program would continue with PSC and FVS willing and able to recruit more graduate volunteers should the need arise.
Mr Mohenesh Singh, a teacher graduate from Nadi, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Education and PSC for facilitating the NSAAC/PSC Volunteer program.
“This program is a great opportunity to learn new ideas and share my skills to help resolve a lot of the issues that our society faces. FVS has engaged us as young people with a lot of energy to contribute our time, skills and energy on very worthy causes.”
The graduate teachers will be dispatched on Monday to various schools around Fiji, including Central College Lautoka, Lomary Secondary School, Nakauvadra High School and Suva Grammar School