Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo have yet to address inquiries from The Fiji Times about the legal justification for the recent reassignment of the Fiji National University (FNU). This comes amid increasing public scrutiny over the government’s decision to shift FNU’s oversight from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics, as announced by Vosarogo on Monday.
Questions directed towards the Prime Minister sought clarification on the specific legal framework justifying this move, particularly whether he intended to formally take charge of the Education portfolio through official gazettal or pursue amendments to the Fiji National University Act in Parliament to facilitate the reassignment. Additionally, inquiries were made regarding how directives from the Prime Minister’s office concerning FNU could hold legal validity without these steps being undertaken in accordance with existing law.
Concerns have been expressed by political and legal analysts who argue that until compliance with the Act is achieved or revised, any directive from the Prime Minister about FNU could be seen as legally invalid. This raises questions about recognition from the university’s council, management, or staff on directives issued under the current framework.
In response, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro confirmed yesterday that he had informed the FNU Council of the management change following the Prime Minister’s direction. Vosarogo indicated that he would address the raised concerns later today but mentioned in a previous statement that he would bring necessary legislative changes to Cabinet once the Prime Minister returns from his overseas engagements. He asserted that the Prime Minister possesses constitutional authority to dictate ministerial responsibilities, including the organizational structure of FNU within the public service.
This situation highlights ongoing dialogues about governance and compliance within Fiji’s education system, emphasizing the importance of clarity and adherence to legal protocols. As the government navigates these transitions, stakeholders will be eager to see how the situation unfolds and what measures will be taken to ensure lawful and effective management of FNU.