GCC Chair wants iTaukei language teaching to be made compulsory and Govt to bring back iTaukei Affairs scholarships

Great Council of Chiefs Chair Ratu Viliame Seruvakula says language is our identity, and if we lose that, we are losing a part of us.

Speaking to fijivillage News on the issue of language, Ratu Viliame says there were great concerns raised by the chiefs regarding our language during the meeting and a lot of this is happening because of the social issues that we have and exposure to social media.

He says if children are being neglected by their parents, they will meet other children and come up with their own ideas about themselves.

He adds that parents should step up in their roles.

When asked if they have talked to the Education Ministry regarding the erosion of the iTaukei language, Ratu Viliame says they have an education subcommittee and the language and culture committee that is working together with the Ministry.

He says one of the recommendations from the chiefs is for the reintroduction of the iTaukei language as a compulsory subject in primary schools.

The Chair also highlighted their concern about TSLS, where only 30 percent of the graduates from medical schools are iTaukei while the rest is other races.

He says the chiefs are also recommending the reintroduction of the iTaukei Affairs scholarship.