Several students from various schools in Suva have raised concerns about the teacher shortage crisis in the country.
While speaking during the public consultation on the review of the Education Act at Albert Park, students highlighted that there are insufficient teachers in the education system, especially in subjects such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
A Year 12 student from Yat Sen Secondary School says she understands that most teachers look for opportunities overseas, and they have the right to do so; however, it is the students who suffer.
She is urging the government to look into the welfare of teachers so that schools, especially those in rural areas and some in suburban areas, can recruit teachers who are qualified in specific subject fields.
A student from Ballantine Memorial School called for a comprehensive review of teachers’ compensation to ensure salaries align with qualifications.
She says that the Ministry of Education should introduce structural retention bonuses, such as rural hardship allowances and career progression pathways, to incentivise long-term service in Fiji.
The Year 13 student says a competitive compensation structure will help retain a stable, motivated, and professional teaching workforce in Fiji, and this is urgently needed in high demand areas such as STEM, where the global demand for qualified teachers is significant.
The public consultation on the review of the Education Act will continue tomorrow at the Fiji National University Nasinu Campus from 10am to 1pm.
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