Healthy teachers, stronger classrooms
AS a secondary schoolteacher, I pay a standing ovation to our bold editor-in-chief Fred Wesley for sharing a great insight via his editorial “Healthy teachers, stronger classrooms” (FT: 02/09)! Via the powerful editorial, Wesley hit the nail as we face teacher exodus and the need to address teacher grievances. I started teaching in 2003 at Savusavu Secondary School and since then times have changed. Teachers these days face a lot of pressure. There are a lot of expectations placed on teachers, from delivering results in the classroom and on the sports field to addressing disciplinary issues, counselling, and supervising other extracurricular activities. Teachers are under duress. Their health is at risk, and something must be done to address this. Furthermore, I agree with Wesley that teachers must prioritise their health by attending regular medical checks and reducing excessive yaqona, alcohol and tobacco consumption. Teachers play a vital role in communities and their wellbeing matters. Countries that have placed teachers and education at the top of their priority list have succeeded and those that haven’t have continued to struggle. Yes, Wesley, healthy teachers mean stronger classrooms, healthier communities and better outcomes for our children. As our teachers brace for the challenging term three, where students will sit for the Year Eight, 12 and 13 external examinations, I wish them all the best! Continue with the hard work and perseverance! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, nadawa, Nasinu
Amplifying senior voices
THE Hibiscus Festival is coined as the “Mother of all Festivals”. Can some of the 11 contestants be advocates for about 1400 betrayed senior pensioners plus their spouses, families and loved ones please? I have strived real hard to be an effective voice. Much has been written in both the dailies over the years. Our voices now are in need of some powerful amplification. The 2026 Hibiscus Festival candidates are effective choices. Drastically reduced pensions need to be reinstated, plus interest. We are suffering in our twilight years — aged 70s; 80s and 90s. Thank you in earnest anticipation. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Christian State
PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called on Fijians to remain “calm” following the presentation of the Constitutional Review Commission’s report, which contains some recommendations that are, to put it mildly, highly questionable. One of the more controversial proposals is the notion of declaring Fiji a Christian State. Rabuka says that simply declaring Fiji a Christian State is not what “makes us Christians”. He is absolutely correct. But here is the obvious question, if declaring Fiji a Christian State does not make us Christians or make a fraction of a difference to our already fragile economy, then why was such a proposal entertained and included in the first place? The more sensible approach would have been to reject the idea outright rather than present it for the nation to foolishly debate. Fiji is a multi-faith country. Our Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and other communities are not visitors who need reassurance that they still have a place here, they are an integral part of Fiji. The PM himself has acknowledged that their religious freedom and place in the country must be respected and protected. So perhaps instead of arguing over whether Fiji should be officially labelled a “Christian State”, we should concentrate on building a State that actually demonstrates the Christian virtues Rabuka himself mentioned, that is humility, kindness, compassion, hard work, service and love for one another. Because changing the label on the bottle doesn’t magically improve what’s inside it. Right, “Stee?” NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Where did I go wrong
NOT the superhit UB40 song from Labor of Love II. But rather a revisit to the reported case of unverified 2021 COVID payout. I’m furious because I saw what was happening during the rollout of the program, especially when my tax money was involved. Supermarkets, municipal markets and booze outlets were full of people, many with proud chatter on how each one in their family managed to get the money, a few families of six or seven all benefitting. There was nowhere one could complain. The system itself was dishing it out apparently without scrutiny. Sadly, all I read is that the Standing Committee “recommended the Ministry of Finance document all future risk assessments and require conflict of interest declarations from staff managing relief programs”. Nothing happens about the financial fraud that happened? The Auditor-General’s findings cannot be brushed aside with mere caution for the future. Some years ago there was a taxi permit lottery where there was a threshold for income, combined family income. A colleague at the time went for it and got the permit, only to voluntarily return it after I asked him how he got it despite sitting above the income threshold. Major taxi operators got permits under the same program. Well-heeled people cashed in while those who were eligible were still running around looking for JPs with application forms and statutory declarations. I have always wondered if all these scams by the people, aided and abetted by officials managing the programs would ever be exposed. Can we please initiate formal investigations and expedite them through the justice system before the elections please? This is not a politically motivated letter. DONALD SINGH Nausori
Too many cooks
ENVIRONMENT and Climate Change Minister Lynda Tabuya says ” Fiji is expecting to host about 3000 people at the pre-COP in Nadi next month” ( FS 1/9/26 ). That sounds like “too many cooks in the kitchen”. Time will tell if that’s the case. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Time for change
THE plan to create 5000 iTaukei businesses by 2034 to boost indigenous economic involvement can only succeed if we rid of the vakavanua mentality. The kerekere system and heavy vanua and lotu obligations can make it difficult for individuals to sustain private businesses. Sa rauta mada gonei! Sobo! WISE MUAVONO Headstrom Pl, Balawa, Lautoka
Garden Island
I HEARD about dalo theft. I didn’t know about cell phones, stoning of vehicles, damaging of properties, aggravated robberies, common assaults, down to stealing of hardware items from people’s work sites. I thought it’s the Garden Island of Fiji. I thought everyone is busy farming to keep up that name and the famous tag. I hope relevant authorities fight hard against “those few” and keep that Garden alive. Right now it’s a nightmare. A real one and it’s a real concern A. SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu, Fiji Islands
Seeking justice
MY heart goes out to Ronnie Chang and the victims of decrees 51 and 52. May I suggest a petition be presented with the international courts in Geneva. EDWARD KUMAR Lautoka
Players on billboards
FINALLY player photos on the big welcome billboard in Ba. Albeit, smaller than the head honchos. Nonetheless or is it nevertheless, a welcome sign that players are and will be recognised. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Litter laws
THE new litter regulation is now in force. Those caught littering in public will face a $200 fine instead of $40. Are the relevant authorities aware or have they forgotten? Let’s hope for the best. ANTHONY SAHAI Levuka, Ovalau
Hilly terrain harvester trial
IT’S reported that Minister Tomasi Tunabuna is trialling mechanical harvesters for hilly cane farms, citing labour shortages as the reason. But labour shortage is not the real issue. The deeper problem is the systematic non–renewal of leases on flat, fertile lands. Descendants of the girmitiya are being pushed onto hilly slopes — lands that were never used for grazing because of poor vegetation, soft stones, and lack of soil fertility. This shift is not innovation; it is displacement. Farmers are being denied renewal of leases on productive flat lands, while the TLTB allegedly postures to reclaim those lands for landowners’ use. In return, new leases are offered only on marginal terrain. To suggest that mechanical harvesters are the solution is to mislead the nation. Machines cannot compensate for the loss of fertile soil, nor can they disguise the fact that farmers are being forced off the lands that sustained generations. Mr Tunabuna’s trial program may identify which machines can operate on steep slopes, but it does not address the real injustice: The erosion of secure tenure on arable land. Farmers need certainty, not experiments. They need leases renewed on productive land, not promises of machinery to make barren slopes workable. The sugar industry is already under immense pressure from rising costs, labour shortages, and policy instability. Adding land insecurity to the mix is a recipe for collapse. The Government should stop fooling Fijians with half–truths. The issue is not only labour shortage. The issue is land — fertile land being taken away, and farmers being pushed into terrain that was never meant for cane. If the Government is serious about sustaining the sugar industry, it must confront the lease renewal crisis head–on. Trials of harvesters on hilly terrain are a distraction from the real problem. Farmers deserve honesty, secure land, and policies that protect their livelihoods. Anything less is betrayal. DR SUSHIL K SHARMA Lautoka
CRC report
WE read in The Fiji Times report by Phyllis Simpson that “secrecy over Fiji’s Constitution Review Commission report is fuelling public anxiety and tensions, says Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry as he calls for the immediate release of the full report and draft” (FT 2/9). I agree with Chaudhry. If the constitution belongs to the people, and it does, why the secrecy? Why was the media excluded at the commission’s report presentation to the President? Where is the change the Rabuka gang in government promised the people about transparency? The secrecy is reminiscent of the modus operandi of the FijiFirst government. It is tantamount to a betrayal by those currently in power. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
