Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro says retaining children in school has been a major target for the Ministry but they have seen a major increase in student intake from primary to secondary school by over 5,000 students this year.
While responding to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalabvu’s opening speech in Parliament, Radrodro says a significant number of these students are registered for the TVET programmes and adds that students who have previously dropped out of school are returning to attain life skills that can assist them for their future career.
The Minister confirms the consultation for National TVET Policy has concluded and will be submitted for Cabinet approval this month.
Radrodro says this initiative has been piloted in Year 9 across 15 schools with vocational centres nationwide.
He says the new subject being offered is competency-based and is offered through three vocational programmes — automotive, hospitality and carpentry and joinery.
Radrodro further says the Ministry of Education has noted that there are many schools in dilapidated states.
He says there are over 900 schools all around Fiji and therefore, they are urgently working to address the various needs of schools.
He says they are also grateful to DFAT, which has assisted with the funding to rehabilitate the WASH facilities for 45 schools all over Fiji, where they will get new ablution blocks built for boys and girls.
He has also confirmed that the Ministry will be building three new schools, one at Davuilevu to accommodate Davuilevu Secondary School from Year 9 to Year 13 students, one at Suva Primary School which will also be rebuilt due to its OHS status and they are also trying to regain Vatuwaqa Primary School.
The Minister says they are awaiting the Office of the Secretary General's advice if government can regain Vatuwaqa Primary School, which is now run under a trustee.
He says parents and interested stakeholders of the school have raised to government the need to re-establish Vatuwaqa Primary School, given its ideal location close to Suva.
The Ministry has also approved the establishment of secondary schools at Totoya and Matuku, as well as Wainikeli Secondary School in Taveuni, which has now begun with Year 9 students.
Radrodro says teachers have been sent to those schools, and they hope that in the new year, the school will extend to Year 10 to accommodate those currently in Year 9.
While speaking on the upgrade and enhancement of government schools, facilities and teachers' quarters, Radrodro says to date they have completed works at Delenamasi Primary School, Nasinu Secondary School, Queen Victoria School, Ratu Kadavulevu School, Adi Cakobau School, Levuka Public School and Suva Grammar School.
Radrodro also confirmed that work has commenced on the review of the Education Act 1966 and they also want to review other accompanying educational establishment laws, like those of the Fiji National University, the Higher Education Commission of Fiji Act and the Teacher Registration Authority Act.
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