Former Education Minister Premila Kumar has voiced strong opposition to any initiative aimed at placing the Fiji National University (FNU) under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office, asserting that such a move would violate the Fiji National University Act of 2009.
Kumar emphasized that the Act explicitly delineates the authority governing the university, indicating that the governance of FNU is vested in its council and not subject to political maneuvering. She highlighted that the council members are appointed by the Minister for Education, underscoring that this role does not belong to the Prime Minister.
“In accordance with the Act, it is the Minister for Education who appoints members to the FNU Council,” Kumar remarked. “Therefore, there is no legal foundation for the Prime Minister to exert control over FNU, as he is not the minister in charge of education.”
Referencing Section 14 of the legislation, she reiterated that any attempt by the Prime Minister to take unilateral action lacks legal validity. “A verbal directive from the Prime Minister holds no legal weight concerning FNU,” she stated, affirming that the governance of the university is defined by statute. Any efforts to override the FNU Act via informal instructions would be impermissible.
Kumar outlined two legitimate avenues through which the Prime Minister could lawfully gain responsibilities for FNU: either by officially assuming the role of the Minister for Education through proper gazetting or through amendments to the FNU Act made in Parliament. Until such actions are taken, she contended, any directives from the Prime Minister regarding the university should be deemed legally invalid.
In her concluding remarks, Kumar noted that the Act does not grant the Prime Minister the authority over FNU, and the chancellor is mandated to acknowledge and report solely to the appointed minister as defined by law. This stance reflects a commitment to upholding the legal framework governing educational institutions in Fiji, ensuring that governance remains firmly in the hands of designated authorities.