Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro has urged school principals to get involved in the lives of their students and instill in them a renewed sense of hope and faith.
While speaking at the 129th Fiji Principals Association Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Radrodro says the Principals are responsible leaders, who are equipped to guide and nurture students to become the best version of themselves.
He says it is no secret that much is expected of them as leaders of the education sector, and their roles are so crucial as they lead the evolution and prepare our children to become vibrant and capable members of Fiji in their adult lives.
The Minister says the high level of student dropouts, teenage pregnancy, drug use and delinquents involved in crime is too much to have them complacent and ignorant.
He adds it is their role to identify the issues children are facing and to tackle them sensitively and with a sense of purpose.
Radrodro says they now have the counselling centres, which he anticipates are being put to good use.
The Minister says the Education Ministry had started discussions with the Fiji Psychology Association, and he is hopeful that they will make it their business to identify students who need support early so they do not have to go through life with undiagnosed health issues that affect their learning, their social skills and their confidence.
He adds that it is incumbent on all of them and their stakeholders to work together.
