Ministry of Education to enhance quality technical vocational training by revising the TVET programs - Radrodro

The Ministry of Education is working with relevant stakeholders to enhance the quality of Technical Vocational Education Training by revising the curriculum of all the programs under TVET.

This was highlighted by the Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro when questioned by the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran on the measures being taken to enhance the quality and accessibility of technical and vocational education training.

Radrodro says the ministry is working with Fiji Higher Education and other necessary training institutions to conduct a skills survey to assess the needs and and identify weaknesses of all the industries in Fiji.

He says the findings will be used to address the various educational needs that will be discussed with implementing tertiary institutions to be able to focus on the subjects and ensure sufficient programs are attracted to take up training in skill sets for the job markets in Fiji and abroad.

The Minister further says the education curriculum over the years has undergone various changes and it continues to evolve to allow for areas of needs identified.

He says the Ministry has done various outreach programs and incentives to attract students for TVET programs and educate that the communities are an important sector as they are working to not only furnish domestic markets with professional workers but also provide workers for the international job markets.

He also says to promote TVET programs to learners of all income categories the Education Ministry will continue to provide vocational tuition grants of $160 per vocational student across 32 vocational centers.

While speaking on using GPE technical financial assistance to enhance TVET programs, Radrodro says this is also part of the discussion that will be undertaken at the Fiji National Education Summit.

When questioned by the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu on the proportion of the training being outsourced and consistency in the assessment criteria, Radrodro says the Ministry is already undertaking steps to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fiji National University to ensure that all the courses undertaken will be accredited by the FNU and private providers like Monfort Boys Town.