The Ministry of Education in Fiji has made a crucial advance in tackling the ongoing shortage of primary school teachers by deploying 600 secondary school teacher graduates to fill existing vacancies. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro emphasized that this initiative is a direct response to a surplus of secondary graduates in specific subjects and aims to mitigate the impact of over 580 unfilled teaching positions.
In addition to this deployment, more than 390 primary school teachers are expected to graduate from three educational institutions this year. To further address the persistent teacher shortage, the ministry is also enhancing the capabilities of current educators through targeted training and professional development programs. Radrodro noted that these training modules, in collaboration with Fiji National University, focus on essential areas such as child-centered teaching strategies, literacy and numeracy education, and effective classroom management targeted at young learners. Graduates transitioning from secondary education to primary teaching will need to complete 80 units for a Graduate Certificate in Primary Education.
Concerns regarding the salaries of the newly appointed teachers were raised by Independent MP Rinesh Sharma during a recent parliamentary session. He questioned whether there were sufficient financial resources to increase salaries. In response, Minister Radrodro assured that salary payments will be processed in the next payroll cycle and reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to addressing employment concerns for teachers in a timely manner.
This proactive strategy by the Ministry of Education is part of a broader initiative to improve the quality of education in Fiji, not only by filling immediate vacancies but also by emphasizing crucial areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The ongoing recruitment of secondary teachers and the emphasis on adequate training underline a commitment to supporting educators and maintaining high teaching standards for students throughout the country.
With these combined efforts, there is a sense of optimism that the educational landscape in Fiji will improve, providing students with access to qualified and dedicated teachers. The ministry’s collaborative initiatives are aimed at establishing a more robust education system capable of overcoming the challenges posed by the current teacher shortage.