Family Life Education to be taught to Year 4 to 12 students

736 primary and 176 secondary schools will be introduced to the Family Life Education programme based on international standards.

This after the United Nations Population Fund Pacific and the Ministry of Education signed the Implementing Partner Agreement.

The agreement signed under UNFPA Pacific’s Multi-Country Programme (2023-2027) will enable it to formalize its assistance in rolling out the programme to Year 4 to 12 students.

The agreement was signed between the Permanent Secretary for Education, Selina Kuruleca and UNFPA Director for the Pacific and Representative in Fiji, Iori Kato.

Kuruleca says the programmes will provide students with opportunities to learn and practice ‘life skills’ such as communications, relationship, negotiation, critical thinking, decision-making, as well as domestic finance, digital literacy and other dimensions.

She says family life education is critical for the children in Fiji in developing knowledge, life skills, attitudes and values that are critical for them in making sensible and responsible decisions and choices about their physical and mental health and overall lives.

Kuruleca further says the implementation of FLE will also contribute to accelerating the country’s progress towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 on Health and Well-being, SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

The UNFPA Pacific Director says they are looking forward to supporting young people in Fiji to navigate their transition from childhood, and adolescence to adulthood, to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens.