THE existing curriculum being taught in schools is not preparing students for the job market, says Namataku District School headteacher Tomasi Toganaivalu.
Speaking during the Education Act Review consultations in Keiyasi, Navosa, he said the curriculum students were taught were not aligning with market demands.
“The curriculum that they are learning right now is clashing with what is in the job market,” he said.
“What we need is a curriculum that aligns with what is required by the market.
“The same goes for students in the primary and secondary schools.
“If we could see a change in our curriculum I believe we can see many students getting good jobs.”
Mr Toganaivalu added there was also an urgent need for new provisions on how students found committing crimes should be dealt with by teachers, the ministry and law enforcement agencies.
“There is no law that empowers teachers, ministry officials in dealing with students who skip school.”
In response, Ministry of Education manager Policing and Research Metuisela Gauna said the existing curriculum does not match the job market for schools like Namataku District that focused only on core subjects.
“There were no practical classes especially for schools in Nadroga/Navosa where there is a lot of tourism and there are hardly any subjects like that,” he said.
“I know that TVET has been reintroduced but areas like this need their children taught in skills that meet the expectations of the current job market.”
