The Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu, has urged the Ministry of Education in Fiji to consider hiring retired teachers on a temporary basis to tackle the increasing shortage of secondary school teachers. In a recent parliamentary session, Seruiratu highlighted the potential benefits of engaging experienced retirees from local communities experiencing teacher shortages. This approach would serve as an immediate solution while the Ministry works on more permanent strategies.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro acknowledged ongoing talks with the Public Service Commission regarding this proposal’s feasibility. He noted that the Ministry is also considering incorporating primary school teachers into a comprehensive skills plan to maximize educational resources fully.
The suggestion comes amid wider discussions on solving the teacher shortage crisis in Fiji. This issue has been worsened by the trend of educators leaving their positions in search of better-paying jobs both locally and internationally. The shortage is notably severe in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and PMEC (Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering-related courses) subjects, which are critical for the country’s educational advancement.
In addressing these challenges, Radrodro outlined several ongoing strategies. These include partnerships with the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Scheme (TSLS) to offer targeted scholarships and the recruitment of final-year university students. The Ministry is also revising deployment policies to ensure an even distribution of teachers across all educational institutions.
The inclusion of retired teachers is seen as part of a broader plan to maintain a steady flow of qualified educators in classrooms, ensuring that both immediate and future educational needs are met. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s dedication to upholding education quality in Fiji while adapting policies to retain skilled teachers. Through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies, there is optimism that educational resources will be improved, guaranteeing students continued access to quality education.