The Ministry of Education says they will be appealing the ruling delivered by the High Court in relation to the appointment of school heads whose salaries are paid by the Fijian Government.
The Ministry says they are deeply concerned the High Court’s decision provides the basis for unconstitutional religious tests for individuals hired by the Government and paid by taxpayer funds.
It says in the interest of providing Fijian students the highest possible quality of education, the Ministry maintains its commitment to the policy of open-merit recruitment and selection for all teachers, headteachers, principals, and heads of schools.
The Ministry says they remain fully supportive of faith-based organisations who wish to offer religious teachings, encourage religious values or hold prayers for their students in schools they manage.
They add they look forward to working closely with faith-based organisations to advance the Fijian Government’s historic agenda in educating young Fijians while upholding the separation between different religious practices and the state, as enshrined in the Fijian Constitution.
