Future voters in Fiji are expected to gain a stronger understanding of democracy, civic responsibility and their rights through a new education resource launched today for Year 9 and Year 10 students.
The Fijian Elections Office has officially launched the My Election, My Fiji Civic Education resources, which will be rolled out to secondary schools across the country later this year.
The programme was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Development Programme following a comprehensive review of the 2018 curriculum.
Representatives from 91 secondary schools across Fiji took part in workshops to review the curriculum, while the new materials were piloted in 67 schools in urban, rural and maritime communities to ensure they are practical, relevant and suitable for classroom use.
Speaking at the launch, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says democracy does not begin at the ballot box, but much earlier in homes, classrooms and everyday conversations where young people begin learning about their place in society.
Mataiciwa says the initiative is aimed at preparing future voters and leaders to participate meaningfully in Fiji’s democracy, while helping build informed and confident young people who understand the importance of every voice and every vote.
The resource package includes student workbooks, teacher guides and USB drives loaded with curriculum content and animations to make civic education more engaging and easier for students to understand.
Mataiciwa says audiobook and Braille versions will also be developed later this year to ensure accessibility for all learners, including students living with disabilities.
She adds this is not a one-off initiative, but part of a long-term commitment to embed civic education into Fiji’s school system and strengthen democratic participation for future generations.
