𝐇𝐎𝐍.𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐑𝐎 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐓𝐀 𝟗𝟎𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐘.

𝐇𝐎𝐍.𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐑𝐎 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐓𝐀 𝟗𝟎𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐘.

The Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro, officiated at the closing ceremony of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) 90th year Annual Delegates Conference and Granite Anniversary celebrations at Novotel Hotel, Lami.

In his opening remarks, the Education Minister stated that the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) is an indigenous organization representing its members to the Ministry of Education, government departments, and international forums.

He also emphasised that over the past two and a half decades, FTA has experienced significant membership growth, marking its 90th anniversary as a crucial milestone for reflecting on its journey and focusing on its evolution.

The FTA conference focused on topics such as curriculum development, teacher professional growth, inclusive education, and the integration of technology in classrooms. The vision for the future of education in Fiji is to ensure every child has access to quality education, with teachers being empowered with the necessary skills and resources to deliver this. The discussions and deliberations at the conference was not just on identifying issues but also on exploring viable solutions.

Hon. Radrodro also addressed two key issues highlighted in the Fiji Times on Friday 30, August : the reported 580 teacher vacancies in primary schools and the salary discrepancy faced by ECE teachers.

He acknowledged the frustrations of ECE teachers and has reaffirmed that solutions will be explored within the Ministry and with central agencies for equity in staff welfare.

The Education Minister emphasised on the importance of fair employment opportunities and just compensation based on workload and entitlements. He reiterated the need for these discrepancies to be addressed promptly by the Ministry of Education’s salaries section. The ECE policy is currently under review, and the government remains committed to ensuring that Fiji’s education system continues to be a beacon of excellence in the region.

“The Coalition Government is dedicated to advancing the welfare of both teachers and students, and to charting a forward-looking path for the nation’s education system.”

The Minister highlighted the significance of collective efforts to amplify voices, effect systemic change, and usher in a new era of educational prosperity for Fiji. He recognized teachers as the true heroes of society, who serve as facilitators for change, mentors, guides, and role models.

Hon.Radrodro expressed gratitude to the Fijian Teachers Association for organizing the conference and encouraged ongoing collaboration and unity among all stakeholders. He concluded by urging all participants to leave the conference with renewed energy to embrace challenges and to continue providing quality education for all.