Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has outlined the responsibilities of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Fiji, reinforcing its role in monitoring educational institutions. According to Radrodro, the HEC oversees compliance with the HEC Act and ensures that institutions adhere to their internal policies regarding teaching hours.
In response to an inquiry by Opposition MP Hem Chand regarding potential repercussions for institutions that fail to meet educational standards, Radrodro affirmed that the HEC has the authority to investigate and take necessary actions against non-compliant institutions. He emphasized that while the HEC plays a regulatory role, the onus to maintain prescribed teaching hours primarily lies with the individual institutions, which are expected to manage these expectations through their internal governance and quality assurance frameworks.
Radrodro stressed the importance of ensuring that educational programs maintain high-quality standards, are properly accredited, and have qualified staff. He added that the HEC is empowered to investigate any verified breaches of its regulations.
This follows previous discussions in the educational sector where the accountability of school leadership was reiterated. Radrodro had previously stated that the heads of schools are responsible for monitoring teacher performance, citing their qualifications and understanding of teaching plans tailored for their environments. He noted required teaching hours — 20 hours for early childhood education, 35 hours for primary education, and 37.5 hours for secondary education.
Furthermore, Radrodro acknowledged ongoing issues with teacher shortages in specific subjects, attributing some of the challenges to past administration decisions during Hem Chand’s tenure in the human resources department. He assured that the government is taking steps to recruit necessary teachers to address these shortages.
The commitment to quality education and maintaining regulatory standards bodes well for the future of Fiji’s educational landscape. Efforts to ensure proper oversight and compliance by both the HEC and educational institutions reflect a broader initiative aimed at fostering an environment of accountability and trust, ultimately benefiting students and enhancing the quality of education across the nation.