The Education Minister
THE Education Minister, Honourable Aseri Masivou Radrodro, has a distinguished CV.
Born in Serea Village in Naitasiri Province and educated at Soloira District School and Queen Victoria School, Honourable Radrodro has worked as a public servant, manager, and for the Fiji Sports Council, holding various managerial positions. He has also served on various boards.
He joined SODELPA in 2014 and was elected to the Parliament of Fiji. Initially appointed shadow minister for Transport and Infrastructure, in 2017 he was appointed shadow minister for Economy.
He was re-elected in the 2018 and 2022 elections, and was appointed Education Minister.
He made worthwhile contributions in the august house and has taken charge of the largest Ministry.
The Honourable Minister made some important announcements on Thursday. We will continue with three terms, and teachers will report to school on Monday, January 30 while students will report to school on February 6.
The Education Ministry also advised all school administrations that teachers who have turned 55 or will turn 55 this year are now to remain in employment until they reach 60.
He assured all parents that Government will continue to provide free education and transport assistance to all eligible students.
He reiterated on the role chaplains played in the spiritual guidance of students. As a teacher, I’d love to see the restoration of respect and dignity in classrooms and conducive learning environments for children.
All the best Honourable Aseri Radrodro!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Three terms
I APPLAUD the announcement by the Minister for Education, the Honourable Aseri Radrodro, of the return to a three-term school year. He stated that the decision was made “following various consultations”.
In October 2022 (FT 10/1/’22 ‘4 Term Year’) I raised the concern that teachers had little say in the earlier decision of changing
Repressive regime
to a four term year by the previous government.
It is the teacher who, in effect, implements the change and has to tolerate the poor concentration of students prior to a holiday and after they return to school following a holiday.
A three-term year ensures that the hellish period in the classroom occurs on two occasions less in a year and increases the opportunity
FRANK Bainimarama’s comment about the new Government being “oppressive and for quality and productive learning and teaching to take place two times more than in a four term year.
While it is recognised that holiday breaks are important both for teachers and students, it is more important to focus attention on learning than on holidays if we want students to take their studies seriously.
JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua, Suva repressive” since taking power (FT 6/1/23) again sounds like he was describing his own 16-year reign in power which began with his military coup takeover of the government in 2006.
That’s how his rule was perceived and endured
Radrodro’s moves
A NEW Government, new minister for education and a new reassuring announcement, the normal three terms instead of four was a burden for everyone, especially financially for a family and most important a child’s academic brains are still fresh until the examinations are held.
The second great announcement is that teachers who have turned 55 or will turn 55 this year are now to remain in employment until they reach 60 years by the people of Fiji. And that’s why there is so much rejoice at his departure together with his main boy Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum.
The Fijian people know too well the difference between freedom and repression. of age. We will now have very experienced and mature teachers at the end of their careers and young teachers will always have great guidance around them.
And the rearrangement of school chaplains to be sent to schools to assist with the spiritual guidance of students and can expect moral and psychological support. Thank you to the Minister of Education, Aseri Radrodro, and wishing all children of the Republic of Fiji the best for their future.
TOMASI BOGINISO Liverpool, NSW, Australia
And they know repression is what they had under Bainimarama’s rule.
Bainimarama fools nobody with his irrelevant and irrational commentary. RAJEND NAIDU
Sydney, Australia