The Ministry of Education is in dilemma, thus, faces a critical teacher shortage.

According to the media, 900 teachers have left our shores during this ongoing school holidays, either on annual school holidays or some have left the teaching fraternity for bet­ter opportunities or greener pastures over­seas like New Zealand, Australia or United States of America (USA).

Of these, only 42 per cent of teachers have returned, meaning approximately 380 of 900. Therefore, 52 per cent of teachers are at large; an alarming figure of close to 470.

The media also stated that more than 300 teachers resigned in 2023 and have moved off­shore for better employment opportunities.

Where has the Ministry of Education gone.

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Ben Gollings’ stating that Jerry Tuwai is not on his list is a clear indication that we might not see the two-time 7s gold medal­list ever again for as long as Ben Golling is around.

Tuwai might have the power and strength, but age is catching up so fast.

We even have not seen him in the recent lo­cal tournament, which shows lack of game time and fitness.

But Tuwai could be brought into the team as a mentor to the boys but the difference be­tween Gollings and Tuwai needs to be looked at.

With Tuwai, who has brought victories to our shores, while Gollings, who has brought nothing yet, but is completely shutting the door on Tuwai, is a surprise.

(From L-R) Ben Gollings and Jerry TuwaI.

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Professor Wadan Narsey’s insightful and illuminating article ‘Righting the 2012 Great FNPF pensioners’ robbery convinces me that the arbitrary reduction in pensioners’ contractual entitlements was a con job by a rogue regime.

The remaining pensioners are still waiting for the righting of the grave injustice done to them by that post-coup regime.

There is need for the government to right the wrong, post haste.

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The supply level of kava seems to be back to pre-TC Winston days.

The committed seem to be content with the quality and quantity of grog packs sold.

Moreover, they are loving the state of re­laxation and blissful tranquility kavalactone provides. Taki!

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Drugs have been an ongoing issue in homes, schools and communities as a whole.

What’s more concerning than what form of drug is accessible to what age group is that authorities concerned, aware of the problem, haven’t taken steps to curb the matter.

Why isn’t the availability and importation of these easy access forms banned from en­tering and sitting on shelves of school can­teens or shops?

Immediate steps ought to be taken, especial­ly when youngsters or our so-called future generation are being affected.

Be it drugs or any virus or pandemic don’t you think it’s wise to speed up the act to stop the spread!

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The fast developing “Jetset” Nadi with ex­tremely limited space in its central business district (CBD), is in need of the professional services of a Singaporean-calibre town and city planner.

This is to help build a well-equipped mod­ern hospital; more health centres; adequate sewage treatment plant; environmentally friendly waste disposal and rubbish dump; more water reservoirs; modern Olympic­sized sports facilities; gyms; swimming pool; new cemetery and modern gas-fired cremato­rium – to name the very basic needs for Fiji’s planned third city.

The ordinary class town-city planners will not properly address, plan and design our in­frastructure.

Here’s throwing in some serious thought for the benefit of our administrators.

As a town, Nadi is very poorly designed and lacks appeal and status needed as the tourism hub of Fiji.

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The president of the Nadi Chamber of Com­merce says Nadi needs a botanical garden and not a casino.

I say; fix and upgrade the Wailoaloa Beach picnic area first and ask why there is a need for a botanical garden.

Why create something that will cost money to maintain?

Why can’t we advocate turning the whole place into a botanical country?

Plan the development and include a manda­tory tree and vegetation policy and you cre­ate a natural botany for the whole country and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Think smart and modern.

Just send a minister and his entourage to Australia and bring a copy of its policy and adapt.

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Can the Minister for Home Affairs reveal how many woman had applied for the Town Administrator jobs, compared to the men?

Every time, they want 50 per cent of the jobs to go to women.

They also want 50 per cent of women in Par­liament. So, how many women contested the general election?

And does the Women’s Crisis Centre know how many women applied to the respective parties to contest the election?

Letters To the Editor

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En mass resignations by early education, primary and secondary school teachers are a great concern for the nation.

This creates a vacuum in schools which cannot be satisfactorily filled in simply because the Ministry of Education is just not prepared for it.

They are caught with their pants down and are grappling in the empty space.

This is the direct result of years of teacher neglect, making hasty and ill informed decisions like the removal of the STTC programme, etc.

I respectfully suggest that the Ministry of Education go on war footing and institute crash programmes to prepare teachers for primary schools.

Selection can be made from all those who have passed Year 13 examination.

They can be given a six month crash programme in teaching.

FNU (Fiji National University) can be asked to design a programme for this course.

Once trained, these young teachers can be placed under the care of the heads of the primary schools.

As time goes on, the maturity will set in and these people will make excellent teachers.

However, they must be paid well or the migration and resignation factors will continue non-stop.

Those primary school teachers who have completed their degrees must get a fair pay as per their qualifications.

At the moment this is not happening and primary school teachers are depressed and frustrated.

This is the direct legacy of the previous administration’s ill-informed policies.

The nation cannot simply sit and watch the future of our children being jeopardised.

We have to close the floodgates of resignations and migrations.

Pay the teachers well and treat them well.

They too are human beings and have their fundamental rights.

I appeal to the Prime Minister to seriously look into this matter and get the Ministry of Education to act post haste.

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It is very disheartening to read that Fiji’s hockey team which qualified to play in the World Cup in Oman later this month is struggling for funds because the Fiji Sports Commission (FSC) is not able to make enough money available for the event.

It would be interesting to receive an account from the FSC about how much support is given to say, netball for participating in the World Cup.

Also, how much funds are given to sports that don’t get anywhere near the achievement of hockey or netball.

Or for that matter, how much funds are used up in the administration of the Sports Commission itself, versus money given for actual sports.

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With the revised distribution of lease monies announced by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, it would appear that not all people in villages are equal.

And that is the way tradition demands it, we are told.

Just waiting for the Minister to announce what his ministry will do after their successful and transformative visit to Chinese villages just before Christmas.

Will the chiefs implement what they learnt, or will they revert to the traditional ways, because we all know that tradition and the Christian way serves the people best.

Change is hard.

It is easier to blow a lot of hot air on what they will do and what they have learnt and most importantly, it is easier to blame someone else for all your own ills.

I suggest the delegation from the GCC visit villages in India next, just so that they get an opportunity to blow more hot air.

Then there are villages in South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the list goes on.

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No environment in the past, present or future illustrates how money controls our behaviour quite as well as a minimum wage job.

Fiji’s minimum wage has never truly been a living wage.

Over time, it has done less to reflect the true value of workers and no longer supports families in a way that promotes health and keeps them out of poverty.

$4 per hour is what the government think an average person needs to live a healthy life.

What a joke! This falls far short of what I estimate to be a living wage.

The gap between wages and cost of living expenses widens each year.

The three-legged government should do something momentous.

Raise the minimum wage, not for political gain, but because it is right to try and bring the benefits of growth to all parts of society.

The minimum wage should at least be almost matching the living wage.

First is to work out a true living wage that supports basic standard of living without food and housing insecurity.

Living wage should be viewed as an entry point to the conversation about wages – the amount necessary just to get by.

Sadly, the wealthy are getting wealthier, yet our working class continues with wages not nearly enough to cover the basics. It is immoral in our advanced society that such inequality not only exists but is so prevalent.

We are a moral and decent society, and we should not allow this indignity to continue.

The People’s Alliance party, National Federation Party and SODELPA, the minimum wage should be raised to meet the true cost of living.

Sa malo!

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In the face of recent tragic incidents such as drowning, Fijians should unite in addressing the need for enhanced maritime safety.

The profound sense of identity and belonging that Fijians share should extend to protecting lives at sea and fostering cleaner seas.

Recent drowning incidents, particularly the heartbreaking loss of lives in Tuvuca, Vanuabalavu and Yasawa, remind us of the importance of immediate action to prevent further tragedies.

It should be done now, not tomorrow!!

The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), committed to ensuring safe shipping and protecting the marine environment, plays a crucial role in keeping Fiji waters safe.

MSAF cannot sail full steam ahead because it is under-resourced.

To drive home maritime safety, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts from Government support and community engagement to allow MSAF full throttle.

Joeli Cawaki, the chief of MSAF, has underscored his bureau’s commitment to the cause.

He cannot steer Fiji clear off rough seas because of resource constraints.

Equip Mr Cawaki and MSAF with the necessary resources, lifeguards and staff to efficiently carry out their mandate.

Past government’s initiatives such as the licensing for seafarers should be revisited and reinforced.

This will ensure compliance with safety regulations.

There is a need for stringent enforcement.

Cawaki says unlicensed boat operators, especially in remote islands and along coastlines, are risks to maritime safety.

Re-enforcement of marine travel and protection laws should be paramount.

Small boats are sailing freely without following proper procedures.

Their enforcement needs authorities, village leaders, chiefs, parents, and the general public.

The call for action extends beyond Government.

Fijians should actively participate in promoting a culture of safety, both in sailing and swimming.

Learn to swim, teach others, adhere to water safety practices are crucial steps in preventing drowning and accidents at sea.

Boat operators should have a licence.

The sea and waterways, while important to all of us, should be approached with full knowledge of their potential dangers.

MSAF cannot face the challenges alone.

We should help now.

Village headmen, chiefs, adults, parents, and Government must promote responsible behaviour in water-related activities.

By working together, Fijians keep loved ones safe from tragedies at sea.

The recent drowning incidents call for the need for a national approach to maritime safety.

By strengthening MSAF, enforcing regulations, and fostering a culture of safety, we Fijians can honour our cultural identity while actively safeguarding lives and preserving our pristine waters and seas.

Feedback: maikeli.vesikula@fijisun.com.fj

It was disappointing to hear Fiji 7s head coach Ben Gollings rubbishing Jerry Tuwai that he must return to playing provincial rugby and work his way up again.

That is saying quite a bit.

Tuwai is not saying what he did to upset Gollings terribly.

Gollings has not done well so far and slam­ming Tuwai does not help.

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To Jerry Tuwai, I think you have forgotten that you have earned the respect of every cit­izen of our nation, either on or off the field.

I hope you continue with the same trend.

You are a very humble and down to earth guy.

Please, don’t forget that sports today is big business, with little emotion attached to it.

It’s a paid employment.

Retirement is very much part and parcel of this contact game.

Since it’s a contact game, no one is assured of a retirement plan.

Since you are into a team sport you must be prepared to face stiff competitions for a spot in the team. Surely; when you have been out for nearly a year.

Please, don’t forget that there is no one bigger than the game itself.

The games must go on, with or without you.

I hope you get that extra piece of mind from the “other legend”, who typically is also trying to get media attention.

He has been there and done that.

The rest, as they say, is history.

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I read ‘Sheikh Hasina once fought for democracy in Bangladesh.

Her critics say she now threatens it (ABC News 3/1/24) reminded me of Aiyaz Sayed­Khaiyum, the man who came to be known as the “Minister for Everything” in post coup Fiji.

He, a one-time pro-democracy fighter of course, never reached the level of ruthlessness in power the Bangladesh PM Hasina is renowned for by prodemocracy people in Bangladesh.

Twenty thousand opposition leaders and critics have been thrown in jail and thousands disappeared.

Now, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is gone from Fiji politics and the Fijian people are relieved he can no longer do any harm.

The Bangladeshi people are still waiting for Hasina to be gone from Bangladesh politics.

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The Jerry Tuwai Ben Gollings impasse does not and will not augur well for national 7s rugby and most ardent Fijian 7s fans, both here, and in all four corners of the world.

The “saga” must be nipped in the bud and laid to rest.

Jerry is very respected, and I concur with our former Fiji Water Flying Fijians’ coach, Simon Raiwalui.

Respect, is earned; Never given.

I support Jerry Tuwai Fiji’s 7s icon over two Olympic gold medals.

And Ben?

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It was disappointing to hear Fiji 7s head coach Ben Gollings rubbishing Jerry Tuwai that he must return to playing provincial rugby and work his way up again. That is saying quite a bit.

Tuwai is not saying what he did to upset Gollings terribly.

Gollings has not done well so far and slamming Tuwai does not help.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

To Jerry Tuwai, I think you have forgotten that you have earned the respect of every citizen of our nation, either on or off the field.

I hope you continue with the same trend.

You are a very humble and down to earth guy.

Please, don’t forget that sports today is big business, with little emotion attached to it.

It’s a paid employment. Retirement is very much part and parcel of this contact game.

Since it’s a contact game, no one is assured of a retirement plan.

Since you are into a team sport you must be prepared to face stiff competitions for a spot in the team. Surely; when you have been out for nearly a year.

Please, don’t forget that there is no one bigger than the game itself.

The games must go on, with or without you.

I hope you get that extra piece of mind from the “other legend”, who typically is also trying to get media attention.

He has been there and done that. The rest, as they say, is history.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

In response to a news article published on January 10, 2024, about teacher shortage, I was disheartened to read about the serious concern faced by the Ministry of Education.

Closing the floodgates of resignation and migrations is not a solution to the concern.

I hope that the Ministry of Education will help teachers build on their career development and provide necessary employee benefits.

There are teachers who graduated with higher academic qualifications with Masters and Doctorates (Thesis/ publication). And,
with more than 15 years of teaching experiences, they are still teaching as a normal classroom teacher.

That’s so sad.

There is no employee motivation and promotion for them. It is the responsibility of the human resources personnel to take care and look after employee benefits and development.

Higher education is the final stage of formal education, and this requires energy, time and sacrifices.

The question to ask is how responsible is the ministry’s HR department in finding and recruiting teachers for career development or promotion, when there are teachers sitting with higher academic qualifications?

While I do not have concrete proof, I suspect there are officers with higher roles recruited but their qualification does not match the job
description.

As such, with the lack of higher academic qualification, what source of inspiration will they become for students and teachers?

Teachers are depressed and frustrated due to the lack of guidance and support provided by their immediate supervisors.

I urge the ministry to recognise the importance and value of higher education and teaching experiences and encourage career growth opportunities as a way forward to achieve sustainability and growth in education system.

Currently, qualification seems obsolete for career progression or promotion.

That is why many teachers have resigned and migrated because the education sector lacks the challenges and career opportunities.

Organisations that are committed to growth and upskilling its employees can contribute positively to the country’s economic growth and prosperity in the education system.

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