STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION ON SCHOOL ENROLMENT CRITERIA AND COMPLIANCE TO MOE POLICIES
The Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro wishes to assure all parents and guardians who have been turned away from enrolling their children into a school that all children will be enrolled to continue with their education.
He has received concerns and complaints due to unfair and discriminatory enrolment criteria used by Heads of Schools such as students coming prepared in school uniform but turned away from the school and also students attending classes for a few days and then informed to look for another school.
“The 2023 Denarau Declaration, Thematic Area 3: Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Education, Access, Equitable, Safe and Healthy Schools spells out clearly that we as educators must ensure, all children have the opportunity to learn and they must be accepted in a school. Academic performance or any other distinguishing factor should not be the sole criterion for enrolment,” said Hon. Radrodro.
He advises all parents and guardians to reach out to the nearest District Education Office for assistance if the child is facing difficulties in getting enrolled at a school.
The Honorable Minister has urged Heads of Schools and Principals to be sympathetic and understanding to the struggles of parents and guardians to get their children to school and he emphasizes that actions that discourage parents and guardians and particularly students from getting access to equitable education will be counter productive to the intentions of the Coalition Government hence those responsible will need to be answerable to the Ministry of Education especially his office in this regard.
Hon. Radrodro reiterates that the Ministry is committed to providing professional guidance and resources to assist schools manage their enrolment processes effectively and urges all Heads of Schools and Principals to cooperate and work collaboratively with all Stakeholders to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that prioritises student welfare and educational access.
Honorable Radrodro extends his well wishes to all students and teachers .
-ENDS-