Today is the last day of the school holidays. As we look forward to the start of the 2014 school year tomorrow, perhaps it is important for us to reflect on the year that was as we move forward.
Understandably for some parents and guardians, there may be a few last minute things to attend to before our children are sent to school tomorrow morning.
Now that we are counting down the hours to the start of another journey of discovery for our charges, there appears to be a lot of expectation in the air.
This year is special in many ways.
For 2014, $370million is being set aside for the Education Ministry by the State, an increase of $101.54m from 2013. This is supposed to help it continue with its program and expand into new policy initiatives.
As the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama pointed out when he announced the 2014 budget in November last year, “2014 will go down as the year we embarked on an education revolution to better equip all our young people for their future and build a Fiji that is not just smarter, but which provides every young person with increased opportunities.
“It will be a nation in which no young person seeking knowledge, skills and training is left behind because of economic disadvantage, a nation in which poverty is no barrier to learning.”
He said all Fijians “will be encouraged and provided the incentive to embrace learning as a means to improve their own lives and the wellbeing of the nation. Every Fijian will be given the opportunity to pursue excellence, to reach for the stars”.
The State believes it is among the boldest investments ever made.
Education is critical for the development of any nation and promotes progress.
It is good to know that the Education Minister, Filipe Bole, has confirmed that all grants marked for school fees for school children across the country have been paid out.
Confirming this yesterday, he said classes for the new academic year will begin tomorrow and teachers are to report to work today.
The onus now is on parents and guardians to ensure children are ready for school.
The burden of paying school fees has been removed by the State.
We hope that will be reason enough for every parent and guardian to ensure our children are encouraged to go to school and are given the resources they need.
Now that the holidays are over, let us all aim to raise the bar in the education of our children this year. That journey starts today when we prepare them to go to school tomorrow.
We wish every student a happy learning experience in 2014.
