The Higher Education Commission in Fiji is poised to utilize the country’s overseas missions to verify foreign educational institutions as an increasing number of students opt for non-traditional study destinations such as Japan and China. This initiative is aimed at addressing concerns over potentially fraudulent schools that may lack proper facilities or, in some cases, do not exist at all.
Chairman Steve Chand highlighted the critical need for this verification process, noting past instances where students returned home claiming they had attended non-existent classes. “For too long, we have never checked on the corresponding institutions, if they really exist. Some of them do not exist. We’ve had cases where the children have come back and said, look, we went to classes. There’s no classes. There’s not even a school room there. Some, not even lecturers,” Chand explained.
The growing trend of students traveling to countries like Japan and China for education has revealed gaps in the monitoring and oversight of these institutions. Chand emphasized that while the commission cannot resolve all global educational challenges, establishing robust checks and balances can help provide Fijian students with a reliable framework for their overseas studies.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Ministry of Immigration is also tightening its processes to further safeguard students venturing abroad. This proactive approach aims to enhance the security and integrity of educational pursuits for Fijians, ensuring that they receive quality education in legitimate institutions. The commission’s commitment to verifying foreign schools is a positive step toward protecting the interests of students and enhancing the overall educational experience for Fijians studying abroad.