Vernacular language must be compulsory

The Education Minister said applicants pursuing a place at Lautoka Teachers College for next year must be competent in at least one of the four vernaculars.

In a statement Filipe Bole said applicants must be competent in at least Fijian, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil or Rotuman up to Form 4 level.

Bole said the requirement is additional to the basic entry requirement for a Diploma in Primary Education, which requires a pass in the Fiji Form Seven Examination with at least 50% in each of English and Mathematics or an equivalent qualification, adding special consideration will be given to students applying from the rural and remotes schools.

Bole said in addition to this, new requirements have been put in place for students pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Education. He said applicants will be required to pass the Fiji Form 7 Examination, or the Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination, or the USP Pacific Pre-School Certificate with at least a B+.

He said applicants should have also completed at least 3 years of pre-school teaching.