The Education Bill 2025 has been passed in Parliament, with 38 MPs voting in favour, 14 against, while three MPs did not cast their votes.
While speaking in strong support of the Bill, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro says the legislation will modernise the education system by improving access, quality and equity for all learners.
Radrodro says the Education Bill represents the most comprehensive reform of Fiji’s education system since the Education Act 1966.
He says the Bill gives full effect to the constitutional right to education by establishing a comprehensive system covering early childhood, primary, secondary, technical and vocational education, and higher education to ensure that no Fijian is left behind at any stage of learning.
The Minister says the Bill also strengthens institutions that will drive quality and accountability.
He says the creation of the Education Advisory Council will ensure broader stakeholder input into policy, while the National Curriculum and Assessment Authority will guide curriculum standards, research and assessment.
Radrodro says these measures are critical for improving the quality and relevance of education in Fiji.
He also says the Bill reinforces professionalism in teaching by establishing and strengthening the Fiji Teachers Registration Authority.
Insert: Radrodro on standards, 25th May 26
Radrodro says the Bill places strong emphasis on student welfare by requiring counselling services in schools, promoting safe learning environments, and aligning with constitutional protections for children.
He says these measures will ensure schools are not only places of learning, but also places of care and support.
The Minister further highlighted that another key strength of the Bill is its commitment to transparency and accountability.
He says it introduces clear rules on school governance, financial management, audits and reporting, which will build greater public confidence in how schools are managed and funded.
While contributing to the debate, Opposition MP Jone Usamate says it was unfortunate that political differences prevented greater consideration of observations raised by the Opposition.
Usamate says if those concerns had been considered, the Bill could have been improved further.
He also stressed that several provisions should have been removed for the Bill to be “100 percent perfect”.
Meanwhile, Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj raised concerns about levy provisions within the Bill, saying they could place additional burdens on parents and students.
