COMMUNITY-CENTERED LEARNING SYMPOSIUM
“Education is not just the responsibility of schools but a collective effort that involves the community, parents, and local leaders.”
This was highlighted today by the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms. Selina Kuruleca during her keynote address at the Community-Centered Learning Symposium at the Pacific Theological College (PTC), Nasese.
Ms. Kuruleca conveyed her sincere appreciation to PTC for the invitation and stressed that in Fiji’s Educational Landscape and the current education system, community involvement is very important especially in rural and maritime areas, “the Ministry strongly values all of you present here and I must say, for the betterment of our beloved children, we need to strengthen community engagement.”
PS Education stated that together we can address challenges faced today by our children and escalating issues which includes NCDs, poverty, gender-based violence, wastage of resources, climate change, school drop-outs, mental health, teenage pregnancy, cyber bullying, dysfunctional families, divorce rates, and AIDS cases among our young population which have grown uncontrollably.
She further added that there are now vast encounters we are facing as a people, and as a nation, “We are now fighting the evils of drugs and substance abuse. Drugs and its use destroy people. We are all acutely aware of the status and spread of drug usage around the country and we need to deal with it, now!”
Ms. Kuruleca emphasised that our society continues to be torn apart by social ills, poor decision making and disregard for the rule of law and processes,“As a community of educators, as a community of practitioners, we must stop, we must act decisively and with intent. I urge us all to stop, think, slow down, and reconsider our ways, where we are moving, why we are moving and how we must add value to the people we interact with, the processes we have and to effect the changes that we earnestly desire. We must be the change that we are waiting for.”
“PTC has introduced options for practical solutions to a real catastrophic crisis we are facing in our society. The “vakatabu” concept advocates community-based solutions by way of a whole-of-life approach to sustainable development in Fiji. The concept is derived from an old traditional approach by our forefathers to govern their resources and maintain a balance in the ecosystem. For me this would mean – being grateful, being respectful, acknowledge what you have and use it well. Do not disrespect the vanua or its resources, and maintain the fragile balance while we still can.”
“As we look to the next 100 years of conservation of our existence, we face immense challenges. Climate change threatens our lands and waters in existential ways, putting more demand on our natural, cultural, and human resources.”
“The “vakatabu” will lay a solid foundation to meet these challenges, and I encourage you all, don’t be limited to your own community, but reach out across the vanua and the seas to ensure the sustainability of our land, water, flora and fauna for the next century and beyond.”
Ms. Kuruleca thanked the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs for their support and also conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to ‘Bread for the World’ a German Humanitarian global partner for funding this project.
PS Education in her closing remarks stated that this project is the beginning of a new journey and it comes at the right time,“ I request all communities, village heads and ‘turaga ni vanua ’ to support the project and make use of this opportunity. This project demands the critical involvement of the parents, guardians, and the community. The concept of na veirairaici, na veilomalomani, kei na veikawaitaki e usutu na kena vakararamataki ka vuli kina na luvei Viti.”
The Community Learning Centres (CLC) will be established in seven community clusters in 9 provinces that cover 13 districts and 112 villagers to allow for the implementation of a community-centered learning model in the community.
