Children who have dropped out of school could get a second chance to continue their education under the Education Act 2026, as the Ministry of Education works to improve access to learning for every child.
Principal Education Officer Amini Voresara highlighted this during a public consultation at the Lami Parish Catholic Hall.
Voresara says one of the key principles of the new Act is that every child has the right to education, regardless of how long they have been out of school.
He says schools should not turn away children simply because they have been absent from the education system for several years.
Voresara says the Ministry will develop enrolment policies to support children who want to return to school and continue their education.
He says the Act also creates opportunities to establish more schools or learning programmes for older students who may find it difficult to return to mainstream classrooms.
Voresara says Fiji currently has only one such school, and the legislation could pave the way for more learning opportunities in the future.
He also raises concerns about the number of children dropping out of school and the social challenges that can arise when young people miss out on education.
Voresara says the Government has a responsibility to ensure schools have the facilities and resources needed to provide quality education.
He adds that the new Act aims to give children more opportunities to develop practical skills and prepare for employment or further studies.
The Education Act 2026 is expected to come into effect on 1 January 2027.
