The new Education Bill 2025 was tabled in Parliament on Friday by Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro. A review committee was formed in March 2025 to facilitate the review project. The committee’s work was also supported by the Fiji Law Reform Commission, with funding assistance from the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The new Bill aims to uphold the constitutional right to education, establish key education bodies, and regulate all levels of learning from early childhood to higher education. It was read for the first time and scheduled for second reading at a later sitting.
Stricter rules on school attendance
THE Government has proposed tougher measures to ensure all children of school age are enrolled and regularly attending school, under new provisions contained in the Education Bill 2025, tabled in Parliament this week. Part 3 of the Bill, titled “Compulsory education,” outlines the responsibilities of parents and the Ministry of Education in enforcing school attendance, with penalties for persistent noncompliance. According to Clause 10 of the Bill, a child of compulsory school age must be enrolled in a school and attend regularly, unless there is a reasonable excuse such as illness or other exceptional circumstances. If a child is not enrolled or fails to attend regularly, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Education will be required to investigate and, if necessary, issue a directive to the child’s parents to ensure compliance. “If the permanent secretary is not satisfied with the reason for noncompliance, they must direct either parent, or both parents, of the child to immediately enrol the child at a school,” the Bill states. Should parents continue to disregard such a directive, the permanent secretary may apply to a magistrate for a compulsory education order. The order can require parents to take specific steps to ensure the child attends school, participates in counselling sessions, and allows the ministry to monitor compliance. “A person who contravenes a compulsory education order commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of up to $2000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both,” the Bill further provides. The proposed law also allows exemptions in certain cases, including when parents can present a valid reason for non-enrolment or absence to the permanent secretary’s satisfaction, or when a child has been formally exempted under Section 11 of the Bill.
National curriculum and assessment authority
The Education Bill 2025 introduces major reforms to Fiji’s education system with the establishment of a new National Curriculum and Assessment Authority, responsible for setting and maintaining national standards in curriculum, assessment, and educational outcomes. Under Division 1 of Part 5, the Bill mandates that all registered and recognised schools must meet the curriculum, assessment, and educational standards developed and approved by the authority. Private schools and home schools will also be required to meet a minimum prescribed threshold of these standards. The authority will ensure that the national curriculum not only includes core academic subjects but also integrates key thematic areas relevant to Fiji’s future development. These include digital literacy and artificial intelligence, civic responsibility, morality, and discipline, formal learning of Vosa Vakaviti and Hindi, health, nutrition, and physical education, music, arts, and practical life skills, climate change and sustainability, and cultures and customs of Fiji’s indigenous peoples and local communities. “The national curriculum must prepare students not only for examinations, but for life, work, and citizenship in a modern Fiji,” the Bill states. The permanent secretary for the Education Ministry will chair the authority, which will include representatives from the Ministry of Employment, higher education institutions, teacher training institutions, the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, and specialists in curriculum and assessment. “The authority will ensure Fiji’s education system remains relevant, competitive, and responsive to national and global needs,” the Act notes. The authority is required to review the national curriculum at least once every three years and will meet at least every four months. Decisions will be made by majority vote, with the chairperson holding a casting vote in case of a tie.
Religious instruction in schools
The Education Bill 2025 introduces new provisions governing religious instruction in schools, aimed at balancing Fiji’s multicultural and multi-faith values with respect for individual beliefs. Under division 2 of part 5, government-aided schools may continue to provide religious instruction as part of their education programs, regardless of whether they receive direct government funding for such lessons. However, the Bill makes clear that no teacher or student can be compelled to participate in any activity that goes against their religion or personal belief. For students who are children, religious instruction can only be provided with the consent of their parents. Meanwhile, students who are not children — such as those in higher secondary or tertiary levels — must personally consent to receiving religious instruction. The legislation also reinforces that in any matter involving a child, the best interests of the student must be the primary consideration, overriding any other provision of the act or other written law.
Rules for school registration and operation
The Education Bill 2025 introduces stricter requirements for the establishment and operation of schools in Fiji, ensuring higher accountability, educational standards, and proper oversight by the Ministry of Education. Under Section 49, no person may establish or operate a school unless it is approved, registered, or recognised by the permanent secretary, or by the minister upon appeal. According to the new provisions, the permanent secretary may approve an application to register or recognise a school only if key conditions are met — including the suitability of the location, the availability of sufficient potential students, and whether the proposed school represents the best interests of education in the area. The Bill also requires that any major changes — such as changing the nature of education provided, reclassifying the school, reopening after six months of closure, or changing location — must undergo a new approval process. Once approved, the applicant receives a certificate of registration or recognition, which may include specific conditions or restrictions. These can be amended or revoked by the permanent secretary if necessary. The permanent secretary also has the authority to cancel a certificate if a school remains closed for six consecutive months or fails to meet prescribed conditions. In addition, any change in a school’s controlling authority must be reported to the ministry within three months, and schools are required to return certificates for endorsement or amendment when requested.
Home schooling in Fiji
The Education Bill 2025 has introduced a formal approval process for home schools, ensuring that students educated at home receive a learning experience that meets national standards and serves their best interests. Under Section 58, any person wishing to establish a home school must apply in writing to the permanent secretary, accompanied by the prescribed fee. Approval will only be granted if several key requirements are met. According to the Bill, the permanent secretary may approve a home school only if the proposed site is suitable and adequate, the arrangement is in the best interests of the student, and there are no adequate schools available nearby to meet the child’s needs. The parent or person providing instruction must also be deemed fit and eligible to do so under the law, and the home school must comply with any other prescribed requirements. The permanent secretary may also impose conditions on the approval, which applicants are required to follow. If an application is refused, the applicant must be notified in writing and informed of their right to appeal the decision under Section 61 of the Act.
Ministry to close non-compliant schools
The Education Bill 2025 gives the permanent secretary stronger powers to close government aided and private schools that fail to meet national standards or endanger students’ welfare. Under Section 59 of the Bill, a school may be ordered to shut down if it operates in a way that is detrimental to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of students or delivers education that is prejudicial to Fiji’s peace, good order, or good governance. The new provision also allows closure where schools fail to meet health and safety requirements, teach a curriculum that breaches national standards, or use banned publications in their lessons. In addition, schools that are not properly registered or recognised, or that employ managers barred under Section 166, may also face closure. The permanent secretary may also act if keeping a school open is not in the best interests of education or the efficient use of government funds. School closures can also occur at the request of the controlling authority, while those closed for less than six months may be reopened at the discretion of the permanent secretary.
