Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has called on parents to play an active role in their children’s schooling, from monitoring progress to ensuring completion of high school.
“Parents must be present in their children’s academic lives as they are key partners in helping students move forward,” he said during a ‘back to school’ church service at the Centenary Church in Suva on Sunday.
Students attended in uniforms alongside their parents as church ministers prayed for them, highlighting the shared responsibility of families, teachers, and communities in education.
Mr Radrodro warned that school dropouts remain a challenge and stressed that children need encouragement, structure, and care to succeed.
“Encourage them to move forward into high school and beyond that.”
Reflecting on last year’s results, he noted the Year 8 pass rates and set ambitious targets for this year, aiming for a 97 per cent pass rate across Years 8, 12, and 13.
He also urged families and school leaders to work together to tackle challenges such as bullying, substance abuse, and other risks affecting students.
“School is not just about attending classes; it is about building skills, character, and opportunities for a successful future. God must remain at the centre of this journey.”
