‘MAINTAINING CULTURE BEGINS FROM HOME.’
SERUVAKULA - IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE GIVEN STRENGTH TO GUIDE THEM THROUGH …. Ratu Sukuna Day Education and Culture Symposium brings together students from 15 secondary schools around the Central Division
The basis of maintaining culture begins from home. This was the message from the Great Council of Chief’s (GCC) chairman, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, during the Ratu Sukuna Day Education and Culture Symposium held at the Holiday Inn, Suva, yesterday.
His message stemmed from the GCC and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs’ aim of listening to youths and students’ ideas about how culture could be effectively integrated into the school curriculum and how it could strengthen leadership at all levels.
“Ratu Sukuna Day was an exceptional event where we could have this symposium because he was a good example of good visionary leadership,” Ratu Viliame said.
“He achieved significant academic success while steadfastly maintaining his cultural heritage. We want our generation of today and tomorrow to learn about renowned historical figures who helped shaped Fiji’s development.”
Student representatives from 15 secondary schools around the Central Division engaged in a panel discussion during the event.
“Look at those students and their own choice of words as they delve into the problems surrounding us now. Brilliant. This is timely. We’ve just came past at the difficult time of our history,” he said.
“It is the responsibility of parents to make sure that their children are given strength to guide them through because by the time they get to the deep waters, they’re able to manoeuvre through.”
During the first round of discussion, Suva Grammar School student, Eliki Baleinakama, 18, said there was a need to make vernacular subjects compulsory in schools as acculturation or change was fast becoming prevalent in society.
“There is a lack of cultural grounding because we’re now accustomed to acculturation,” Mr Baleinakama said. “While learning to adapt to the diverse world, I make it important that my identity as an indigenous man is maintained because that is who I will identify myself with to the whole world.”
Erini Dumaru of Yat Sen Secondary School made an interesting contrast to how she was taught in school.
She believes cultural integration is much needed in the school system. “Coming from Nasilai Village in Rewa, the only time I get to learn and speak about my culture is when I’m with my family,” she said.
“Other than that, I’m always learning about Chinese because that is the one thing our teachers are always pushing us to know and learn every day in school.”
Head of the Sauvaka Culture Consultancy and penal moderator, Simione Sevudredre, said this was an interesting thought as it raised questions about how much efforts had been placed in the maintenance of vernacular language and culture in the Fijian education system.
“Are we doing enough? I mean China is out there and we are all here. If they’re doing it, why can’t we? What is the problem?” he said.
Ratu Viliame said everything discussed in the symposium would be taken up to the GCC, and the ministry will work together to find solutions to the problems of maintaining iTaukei culture.