The Fiji Confederation of Teachers, today (19.01.23), held a ceremony to welcome and congratulate Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Fijian Teachers Association hall at Knolly Street in Suva.
Attended by members of the Confederation, the occasion also to express their gratitude to the coalition government for their recent announcement concerning teachers and to pledge their allegiance to the government of the day.
In his remarks, Hon Rabuka highlighted the importance of teachers and their outstanding log of claims demonstrates the difficulty some people have in fathoming the importance of their professions.
“I am pleased to be here as I was brought up by a teacher and when I became prominent in Fiji after that, my father was decorated by the President of Fiji and given a medal for having worked for Fiji for over 50 years.”
“There are times when everyone will be called to do something for the good of the nation,” he said.
“As teachers, you and those of us in Parliament have been called to do something for our nation.”
“When there is a need for us to rebuild, compromise is not enough. Each of us will have to make sacrifices,” said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Rabuka said teachers sacrificed a lot, and many great leaders that have come and gone were taught by great men and women in the teaching profession.
“You are builders of tomorrow, and as teachers, you make a lot of sacrifices.”
“We have seen great men and women come and go. Yet very few of us look back to acknowledge the great men and women who taught them at school.”
“I thank you and all your predecessors who have taught our children over the years.”
“Please do continue to produce great men and women who will go out into the darkness and put your hands in the hands of God which are better than any light and safer than any known path.”
Fiji Teachers Union president Muniappa Goundar said the teachers are now happy that they can engage in dialogue and consultation with Government regarding their welfare.
“We now have a leader who is committed and will engage with us to move our country forward and we now are driven by a deep sense of ownership and participation.”
“Your coalition government sir is a symbol of unity for our country and I can assure you of our allegiance,” said Mr. Goundar “We are appreciative of the fact that the Ministry of Education has invited us for a free and fair discussion on educational issues after so long.”
Hon. Rabuka on the other hand also acknowledged the presence of the former politician Mr. Krishna Datt and assured the teachers that their log of claims will be addressed.