EDUCATION SECTOR PLAN (ESP) UPDATE MEETING WITH THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

EDUCATION SECTOR PLAN (ESP) UPDATE MEETING WITH THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

The Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro and senior education officials held a meeting to review updates on Fiji’s Education Sector Plan (ESP). The meeting was also attended by UNICEF representatives and several education consultants.

The meeting focussed on the development of the 10 year Education Sector Plan based on the issues identified from the Fiji National Education Summit. The plan is expected to be ready by February 2025.

Honorable Radrodro, emphasized the need to address current challenges in the education system, including teacher training and helping students adjust to new teaching methods. Early childhood education (ECD) was also highlighted, with a need for better teacher training to support children with special needs.

The meeting also noted the importance of reviewing key policies, such as the Education Act and the role of the Education Commission. Collaboration between different ministries and organizations will be key to achieving the ESP goals, which include improving curriculum, teacher quality, and digital learning.

The Education Sector Plan will include programs aimed at improving education quality, ensuring equal access, and expanding digital learning. It will also focus on integrating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to help alleviate poverty and provide skills for the job market.

The plan will include a cost estimate. A strategy highlighted is to hire more teachers, especially in STEM subjects, to meet the needs of the education sector.

The next steps will involve collecting more information, creating key programs and making sure the plan works through monit

oring and evaluation.

The meeting ended with a commitment for continuous collaborations to ensure the completion of the ESP.