Education is the cornerstone of national development, shaping the future of individuals and societies alike. In Fiji the current Education Act (1978) has served as the legal foundation for the country’s education system for decades. However, as education landscapes evolve globally, Fiji must adapt its legal and policy framework to meet: modern demands; align with international best practices; and address emerging challenges. The 2024 Denarau Declaration – Fiji National Education Policy Framework (2024-2033) provides a comprehensive roadmap for educational reform, emphasising equity, inclusivity, digital transformation, and sustainability. To fully implement this vision, the Fiji Education Act must undergo substantial reforms. This article explores key areas where legislative changes are needed, aligning them with the objectives of the Denarau Declaration.
The need for reform in the Education Act
THE Fiji Education Act (1978) was established at a time when education systems were largely traditional, centralised, and reliant on conventional learning methods. Over the years, shifts in global education standards, technological advancements, and socio-economic developments have created a need for policy reforms. Key challenges include:
1. Outdated provisions: The current Education Act does not adequately address digital learning, inclusive education, teacher development, or education financing mechanisms.
2. Lack of policy clarity: There is no clear legal mandate for curriculum development, assessment modernisation, or private-public sector collaboration.
3. Limited focus on lifelong learning: Technical and vocational education (TVET) and alternative learning pathways are not adequately integrated into the legal framework.
4. Weak governance and accountability measures: There is no independent education oversight body to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in decision-making.
Aligning education law with the Denarau Declaration
The Denarau Declaration envisions a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready education system built around seven thematic areas. To achieve this, the Education Act must be updated to include new provisions that support these goals.
1. Curriculum and sustainable development
Policy gap: The Education Act lacks a clear framework for curriculum development, indigenous knowledge integration, and sustainability education.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Establish a national curriculum development authority (NCDA) to oversee curriculum reviews, standardisation, and sustainable development education.
- Mandate the inclusion of climate change, financial literacy, and digital literacy across all educational levels.
- Ensure curriculum flexibility to allow diverse learning pathways, including technical, vocational, and indigenous knowledge systems.
2. Quality assurance and assessment
Policy gap: Assessment and examination procedures are outdated, inconsistent, and lack quality assurance mechanisms.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Establish an independent education assessment and quality assurance body responsible for monitoring and evaluating national learning outcomes.
- Legally mandate formative assessments in Years 3, 5, and 7 to track literacy and numeracy development.
- Introduce standards for digital assessments and align national examination procedures with international best practices.
3. Teaching profession and leadership
Policy gap: There is no comprehensive legal framework to ensure teacher training, professional development, and ethical standards.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Introduce a Teacher Protection and Professional Development Act, ensuring continuous training, fair remuneration, and safety measures for educators.
- Establish minimum qualification requirements for teachers and introduce a national teacher competency framework.
- Mandate teacher training institutions (TTIs) to align curricula with global education trends and competency-based learning.
4. Early childhood, inclusive education and safe schools
Policy gap: The current Education Act does not sufficiently address early childhood education, inclusive learning, or school safety.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Recognise Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) as a fundamental right and ensure government funding for universal preschool education.
- Mandate inclusive education policies, ensuring accessibility for students with disabilities and marginalised communities.
- Implement a national framework for school safety, anti-bullying measures, and psychosocial support services.
5. Education financing and governance
Policy gap: The Education Act does not provide clear funding mechanisms or governance structures for education financing.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Replace the Free Education Grant (FEG) with a Tuition Fee Assistance Model, ensuring parental and community contributions.
- Establish an education oversight and advisory committee (EOAC) to ensure financial transparency and accountability in grant distribution.
- Develop a smart education planning approach (SEPA) to optimise education financing and expenditure tracking through digital systems.
6. TVET & Lifelong Learning
Policy gap: Technical and vocational education (TVET) is underfunded and lacks legal recognition as a viable education pathway.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Legally establish TVET as an equal alternative to academic education, with clear progression pathways.
- Provide tax incentives for industries collaborating with TVET institutions to enhance apprenticeship programs.
- Introduce a TVET certification framework, ensuring alignment with industry demands and workforce development goals.
7. Digital learning, IT and cyber safety
Policy gap: The Education Act lacks legal provisions for digital learning, IT integration, and cyber safety.
Proposed legal reforms:
- Enforce mandatory digital literacy programs from early childhood to tertiary education.
- Mandate cyber safety education and integrate AI, VR, and gamification tools into the learning ecosystem.
- Establish a National Digital Learning Authority (NDLA) to oversee IT infrastructure development and online education regulations.
Implementation strategies
To successfully reform the Education Act, the following implementation strategies must be considered:
1. Multi-stakeholder consultations: Engage government agencies, educators, civil society, development partners, and private sector stakeholders in drafting the new legal framework.
2. Legislative review committee: Establish a committee of legal experts, education policymakers, and researchers to revise and update the Education Act.
3. Pilot programs: Implement small-scale pilot programs to test new policies before nationwide adoption.
4. Capacity building: Train teachers, school administrators, and policymakers on the new legal provisions and their implementation.
5. Robust monitoring & evaluation: Develop a risk management framework and performance indicators to track progress and ensure accountability.
Conclusion
The 2024 Denarau Declaration provides a bold vision for transforming education in Fiji, but its successful implementation hinges on comprehensive legal reforms.
The Fiji Education Act (1978) must be revised to reflect modern realities, ensuring quality, inclusivity, sustainability, and digital transformation.
By enacting new legal provisions aligned with the Denarau Declaration, Fiji can build a resilient education system that equips future generations with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
This reform is not just about education — it is about empowering Fijians, strengthening national development, and securing the country’s future in the global economy.
DINESH PRASAD is a school teacher and a regular contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed herein are his and not of this newspaper.
