As privately-run education continues to expand across Fiji, concerns have been raised that the Education Bill should clearly define what constitutes a private school and how the growing sector should be classified and regulated.
The issue emerged during debate on an amendment moved by Opposition MP Premila Kumar, who called for private schools to be formally defined as fully self-financed institutions.
Kumar says the Bill already refers to private schools under Clause 5(d) and includes provisions under Clause 47, but does not provide a clear definition, leaving what she described as a gap in the legislation.
She argued that a clear distinction was needed to separate privately-owned schools from government-aided and community-run institutions.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad questioned whether defining private schools purely by funding arrangements may create unnecessary restrictions.
He says there could be situations where someone establishes a school in a remote area using mostly private investment while still seeking limited government assistance, adding that tightly defining private schools may create complications in future.
Kumar responded that the intention was to clearly distinguish schools that are privately owned and fully financed without government assistance.
INSERT: Kumar on definition of private schools 25th May
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya opposed the amendment, arguing that students attending private schools still benefit from government-funded bus fare assistance.
Tabuya says the government does not stop students from accessing bus fare assistance and benefits, which makes them government-aided schools.
She says the school itself must endorse the student’s application for the bus card.
Opposition MP Jone Usamate disagreed with the Information Minister's view and stated that the assistance is provided to students, not directly to schools.
Usamate also disputed comments that all private schools follow the local curriculum, saying they have their own curriculum.
Minister for Transport and Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau also opposed the motion, saying that defining private schools may unnecessarily limit future flexibility.
INSERT: Ro Filipe on definition 25th May
Opposition MP Hem Chand supported the proposal, saying private schools are clearly separate from government-aided schools.
Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya also backed the proposal and compared the situation to independent schools overseas.
Koya says in this particular case these schools are not controlled by the Ministry and are independent.
He says there may be independent schools from different countries that may want to establish themselves here and operate a privately funded independent school.
He says Government should to look at it in terms of a business opportunity and the only issue would be that they register with the Ministry of Education.
The motion for the amendment was rejected in Parliament.
