Vernacular subjects become compulsory in primary schools

Students in primary schools across the country will now learn Vosa VakaViti and Hindi as vernacular subjects have become compulsory in schools.

Minister for Education Filipe Bole said along with the teaching of vernacular subjects the conversational programme is also to be implemented for Year One to Year Eight students.

He said it is vital that students understand and speak their own languages well.

He added that as Fijians we must appreciate who we are and understanding the vernacular languages is important for us as individuals and as citizens of the country.

Meanwhile the resources for the teaching of the vernaculars have been prepared by the Curriculum Development Unit of the Ministry of Education.

The direction from the Minister for Education fulfils Section 31 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji which states that "Conversational and contemporary iTaukei and Fiji Hindi languages be taught as compulsory subjects in all primary schools".

Story by: Gwen Mc Goon
Source: Minfo