Girmit history should have been taught in our schools the day we gained independence – Bainimarama

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says everyone should know the Girmit history and it should have been taught in our schools the day we gained independence as it is a part of our history so we must know our history and not just the triumphs and the glories but the injustices and the blemishes.

He says he did not learn Girmit history when growing up and in fact, most Fijians did not and it pains him to know that few knew the full breadth of the of this brutal reality.

The Prime Minister further says the timing of the 1987 coup added insult to a grievous injury because that coup was motivated by ethnic hatred targeted at the Indo-Fijian community.

He says a single man’s pursuit of power robbed thousands of Fijians of any faith in the future of the country where they fled Fiji in droves and left the country in desperation and fear in their hearts.

Bainimarama says how can we expect children to sit in Social Studies class and learn to speak the truth, to love our country and learn to respect and hold compassion for our fellow Fijians when they see that some Fijians do not care about the historical facts.