The Leader of the National Federation Party Professor Biman Prasad says that the Minister for Education's recent remarks on the student that scored the highest mark in the Year 13 exam that had wanted to study medicine and surgery but could not, is deplorable and disgusting.
The Nadi Sangam College student scored 395 out of 400 but cannot study medicine as there is no National Toppers Scholarship that caters for this program.
Prasad says instead of lifting up the hopes and dreams of a young woman who has shown commitment and passion in her studies, the Minister sees fit to crush this with insensitive remarks like: "They try and opt for the easiest degree because it will be smooth sailing and they'll get a paper at the end of the day”.
He says it is astonishing to hear a Cabinet Minister entrusted with ensuring the enhancement of the quality of education, labelling a degree as a piece of paper.
Prasad says this is totally against the Prime Minister’s most recent comment that the education of our children must not be compromised.
He says there is nothing remotely easy or smooth sailing about the high demand field of medicine and surgery or other disciplines.
Prasad says in recent weeks the country has heard many disparaging and unnecessary comments from the Minister who is now desperately trying to rebuild her trust and tarnished image with teachers and stakeholders.
He says this is after labelling teachers as unqualified and now telling students what they should study.
Prasad says Premila Kumar needs to do her job and serve young women and men by fighting for more TELS and Toppers scholarships in the upcoming budget with the Minister for Economy.
He says the belligerent tone expressed by the Minister will only see her becoming a single term MP, when young people, teachers and education stakeholders vote her and the government she serves out for willful incompetence.
When earlier questioned if the Ministry will consider giving her a scholarship in the area since she scored the highest mark, Education Minister Premila Kumar says they need to focus on areas where there is employability.
Kumar says they have seen that sometimes students get carried away where they still go with their friends even though their parents are paying for their fees.
The Year 13 student is now opting to study Bachelor of Pharmacy at the Fiji National University.
We have sent further questions to the Minister for Education.
She is yet to respond.
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