MINISTER PARVEEN BALA'S ADDRESS AT THE VOTUALEVU PUBLIC SCHOOL LEADERS INDUCTION

The Management & Board of the school;
The Head Teacher of Votualevu Public School;
Teachers, parents, students and friends

Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste and a very good morning to you all.

I am indeed honoured to be here this morning as your chief guest to officiate at your induction as leaders of your institution and as the Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations and Productivity, young people and education are very close to my heart.

Today is a big day for our student leader inductees. Today each of you will take on huge responsibilities as young leaders of your school. You will become the cornerstone of the student body for 2022 and will really have to set the very best example in all that you do throughout the year.

Today begins a new chapter in your leadership journey as young men and women of this establishment, so I take this opportunity to congratulate you. I have the good fortune of meeting and contributing to the holistic development of our young Fijians, regardless of their locality, ethnicity, culture and social standing through the work that I and my Ministry do. Collectively, we have the obligation to see to the full realization of your potential.

Ladies and Gentleman, the Ministry of Youth and Sports shares this proud moment with you. A year ago this meeting was impossible as Fiji and the World navigated our recovery paths from the impacts of COVID19. We are very grateful that we are slowly moving back to normalcy through brave decisions taken by the Government and its key stakeholders in the vaccination programs carried out that allowed Fiji to get to a stage today where our borders are beginning to open with travel partners.

Commencing of the school and sports programs to where we are now is a testament to our resilience and strength. We are very delighted with the fact that sports are now fully operating on a national level and importantly in all our schools and we welcome both our spectators and participants.

The government of the day encourages all sports participants and spectators to be fully vaccinated so you can all participate in this exciting sports program. The Ministries core roles focuses on Youth and Sports Development programs.

Ladies and Gentlemen, while we sit amidst our student leaders this morning, let us also recognize the need to foster and strengthen the leadership roles that our young leaders need in time such as this. Our Ministry in partnership with schools introduced the DEIA Program to encourage holistic development for our young people.

The program consists of building lifelong skills in students such as: 
- Teamwork and leadership
- Decision making and problem solving
- Unity and diversity
- Creating and exploring new opportunities
- Community service Empathy and patriotism.

The program is operated at a global level and was developed during a time of huge social and industrial change. The Award was established in 1956 and was initially offered only in the United Kingdom, and only to boys aged between 15 and 18. Thankfully, the Program quickly expanded to include girls in 1958. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is now available to all 14 to 24 year olds and has inspired 8 million young people in over 140 countries. The Award is internationally recognized as one of the leading youth achievement awards. The Award also serves as one of the requirements to join the British Army.

Hence, I encourage you Teachers and Parents to support this initiative and help our young leaders to higher heights. I would like to shine the spotlight on your parents and teachers, for without their love and care, none of you would be where you are today. Parents place a great amount of trust in teachers to care for, further educate and inspire you children. Basic education and values are taught in the home and are reinforced in the classroom. I have no doubt that as teachers, you recognise the responsibility you bear, and the privilege that you enjoy in contributing to all children’s lives.

To the elected Leaders of the school,Let me remind you that as leaders of the school, you are now role models. The badge which will be given to you today must serve as a daily reminder of the task and responsibility that you have each been entrusted with. I have no doubt that you will carry out your duties and obligations to the best of your abilities. It is therefore my duty also to urge you to accept this challenge and responsibility.

Concentrate on your studies and in doing so contribute to your own personal development and the development of society as a whole. I congratulate our student leader inductees once again.

Vinaka & Thank you