SCHOOL heads at the 42nd Fiji Head Teachers Association (FHTA) conference did not hold back their ongoing plea for better accountability and response to their challenges.
The 735 heads of schools told the conference that public platforms they’ve used over the past many years have only fallen on deaf ears, their issues remain unresolved.
The conference, held at the Sheraton Resort and Spa in Denarau last week, provided the opportunity to discuss their grievances and receive feedback from Ministry of Education officials, including their Minister Aseri Radrodro.
High on the list was the issue of salary — an ongoing challenge that even the ministry has acknowledged cannot be fully addressed, especially in the face of competing international markets that continue to poach our most skilled educators.
However, FHTA president Johnson Rura said that without proper compensation for those still working in the market, Fiji would continue to lose its teachers.
While expressing the association’s continued support to be the implementers of the country’s education policies, Mr Rura called for meaningful changes towards the plight of teachers.
“Over the past 12 months, from August 2024 until today, we have witnessed the Ministry of Education ‘walk the talk’ delivering tangible reforms, bold investments and decisive actions for the benefit of our schools, our teachers, and most importantly, our children,” said Mr Rura at the opening of the conference.
“We have seen the ministry spearhead the national curriculum review, engaging teachers, parents, and communities to ensure our teaching content reflects, not just global standards, but also the heart and identity of Fiji.
“We have seen the launch of the Education Act review, the first in almost six decades bringing all voices to the table to shape an education system that is fair, modern, and inclusive.
“We celebrate the strides taken, yet we must also confront the reality that shadows linger along our path – gaps in resources that stretch like unbridged rivers, challenges in delivering a curriculum that truly speaks to our children’s needs, and a pressing call for leadership that is both visionary in dream and grounded in action.
“These are not grievances born of dissatisfaction, but the passionate war cries of those entrusted with nurturing the future of Fiji’s children.
“The voices that summon us all to rise and answer.”
Call for a salary review
Mr Rura said the salary structure of primary school heads should reflect not only the complexity of their roles but the weight of the responsibility each carried.
“It is unjust that while expectations continue to rise, remuneration has remained stagnant.
“There is a great need to align salaries with the leadership roles we play — not as a token of appreciation, but as a recognition of value.
“The current salary banding system is broken and it’s hitting our biggest schools the hardest.
“A large primary school, juggling over a thousand students and more than 26 teachers, earns the same salary band as a small secondary school with just 50 students and six teachers.”
He said this was not just unfair but was a slap in the face of those carrying the heaviest burden day in and day out.
“The salary of a medium head of school is equivalent to vice principal’s in secondary schools while a small school HoS sits on the same salary band as the assistant principal or head of department in any secondary school.
“Each school, regardless of size, faces its own set of complexities, and the current salary bands do not reflect the true scope of responsibility and dedication required across the board.
“It does not consider schools that have boarding programs, co-curricular programs and sports.
“Fairness in recognition must extend to all school leaders— because justice is not selective; it must be comprehensive.”
Curriculum, English and ECEs
The FHTA president also took the opportunity to raise the curriculum in primary schools.
He said the ministry’s Curriculum Advisory Services (CAS) and Assessment Unit must be strengthened.
“We need officers who are not just qualified, but passionate and committed – those who truly understand the pressing needs and challenges in our schools today.
“At the heart of our education vision lies a steadfast commitment to strengthening both STEM and TVET education, beginning right from primary school.
“Evidence from Fiji and across the Pacific is clear that investing early in STEM and TVET education not only boosts student learning outcomes but also equips them with the knowledge and competencies essential for success in tertiary education and the workforce of tomorrow.”
Mr Rura also made the bold call for English to be removed as a compulsory subject for Year 8 external exam entrants.
“Research in multilingual education tells us that requiring a compulsory pass in English at an early stage unfairly disadvantages these learners still building their proficiency.
“Such a rigid barrier risks excluding them from further education and opportunity.
“High-stakes compulsory English requirements can damage student confidence and motivation, particularly in early secondary years.
“Repeated failure in a mandatory subject often leads to feelings of inadequacy, disengagement, and ultimately, higher dropout rates.
“Flexibility in English requirements fosters holistic development and eases emotional stress.”
He said while external exams entry requirements be reviewed, attention must also be directed to early childhood education systems.
“The recent directive from the ministry on extending contact hours for five year olds has sparked real concern and rightly so.
“When policies begin to stretch the school day beyond what young minds are developmentally ready for, we risk creating more harm than progress.”
Mr Rura said research in early childhood development revealed children under the age of six learn best through play, rest, and rhythm.
“Not prolonged routines and rigid schedules.
“According to the American Academy of Paediatrics and UNESCO guidelines on Early Childhood Care and Education, extended formal instruction at this age can lead to “hurried child syndrome”, a condition where developmental milestones are rushed, emotional regulation is strained and learning becomes a task rather than a joy.
“We cannot afford to make decisions based on administrative convenience at the cost of a child’s wellbeing.”
Mr Rura’s impassioned speech to more than 700 heads of schools was praised and highlighted the need for more attention to Fiji’s education system, especially for those at the helm of each primary institution.
“These leaders do not merely administer schools, they nurture dreams, mould futures, and bear the weight of hope for countless children.
“Their concerns are not idle grievances, but heartfelt testimonies borne from unwavering commitment and deep understanding of what our education system demands.”
