Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro says as Minister for Education and as Party Leader of SODELPA, his role is to support the leader of Government, the Prime Minister, and Chair of Cabinet, and since being communicated the reassignment of the Fiji National University to the Prime Minister, he has carried out the directives to inform the FNU Council of the change.
Radrodro says the Prime Minister has indicated that this decision is driven by a strategic vision to better align FNU with national planning priorities and a whole-of-government approach to development.
He says given FNU’s unique role as a dual-sector institution providing both higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, it is understandable that government may wish to position the university more closely within its broader strategic planning framework.
Radrodro says SODELPA entered the coalition government in good faith, guided by the principles of collective responsibility, mutual respect and service to the people of Fiji.
He says while the Ministry of Education has historically played a key role in the oversight of FNU, their foremost concern remains the strengthening of the institution so it can effectively contribute to workforce development, economic resilience and the long-term aspirations of our nation.
The Minister assures the public, students, staff and stakeholders of FNU that this transition does not diminish the government’s commitment to education, rather it reflects an evolving approach to ensuring that our national institutions are best placed to respond to current and future challenges.
Radrodro urges the staff, council members and students of FNU to work together and continue to remain focused on the tasks ahead of them.
Meanwhile the Chairman of FNU Council, Semesa Karavaki has highlighted that the reassignment of FNU to the Prime Minister is like a takeover.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Karavaki says yesterday was a sad day for Fiji's education when the independence of the FNU Council under the FNU Act has been compromised by the so called transition from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Strategic Planning.
Karavaki says the FNU Council meeting that is scheduled for this Thursday has been cancelled by the Prime Minister's Office and the Council's Secretariat staff have been directed by the Vice Chancellor, Unaisi Nabobo-Baba not to communicate or facilitate any communication from the FNU Council.
The FNU Council is appointed by the Minister for Education.
Karavaki says the process of bringing FNU under the PM's Office is a model used by Singapore which worked very well for them.
The FNU Chairman says unfortunately, the way it is implemented by Fiji, is to protect the Vice Chancellor who he alleges has issues at the University.
Karavaki says at the moment and until the FNU Act is amended, the Minister of Education is still the Minister responsible for FNU.
Karavaki says the whole impasse started when he issued a directive on behalf of the FNU Council where the Council is to approve the filling of positions from HOD level and above.
He says this is to address the complaints directed at the Vice Chancellor regarding alleged favouritism and other matters.
Karavaki reveals they as the FNU Council are also taking steps to address the bestowment of professorship contrary to the FNU Act.
The FNU Council Chair says they are trying to have an audience with the PM's Office and he hopes good sense prevails and a meeting is called by the PM's Office.
We have contacted FNU Vice Chancellor Nabobo-Baba. She is yet to respond.
Stay with us for developments.
