Addressing our education system
I admire the piece by the editor of The Fiji Times Fred Wesley regarding “Addressing our education system” (FT 29/05), however, I would like to offer my contribution as well on the matter. Despite the concern of many, including the Lau Provincial Council chairperson Ratu Meli Saubulinayau on students being promoted to the next level without proper assessment, I believe, the approach is still on passing exams rather than looking at other alternatives. I would like to challenge the Ministry of Education to be more critical in their thinking on other ways of teaching life skills at a young age in schools rather than just relying on the old way of passing maths and English and knowing how to read and write. I am adamant that our education system is still very much that of the colonial era where they teach us what they want us to know and not encourage us to be critical thinkers. Our current education system teaches what to think and not what to think, hence I sincerely request that we address our education system by teaching our children how to think and not what to think. Sa dri yani. KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Special flights
Wow! Thank you Fiji Airways for the special flight to Dunedin last week, taking the Fijian Drua fans to watch the game against the Highlanders and back. Thank you New Zealand Immigration for the granting of visas to Fijians who intended to be on that flight, watch the game and fly back home. With the big game coming up on July 19, 2024 in San Diego, USA between the All Blacks and the Flying Fijians; I am just wondering if there is a special Fiji Airways flight being booked for Fiji rugby fans. The US Embassy in Suva interview bookings are all full for the upcoming months and maybe, one reason is the large number of Fijians seeking visas to watch the game. It would be great if the US Embassy grants a special visa for all those who want to just fly over, watch the game and fly back home. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
Facing the music
The five, not the Jackson 5, are supposedly going to face some kinda music. They can clearly see the shine has gone (from the Coalition)? Of all the talk of the power of one, they are five. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Avenue, Lautoka
Thank you
My sincere thanks must go to Jioji Kotobalavu, former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s office on FT Wednesday, May 29, 2024. While the new parliamentary emoluments are now a “done deal” and public outbursts are noted to be powerful indicators, we need to accept the decision, though unpalatable, to be final. The timing for such increases was not in order. Not a good time when many are struggling to put three proper meals on their plates, each day (today’s diet consists mainly of bread, three-minute noodles and canned tuna). A survey, by our universities, in this regard may prove useful and factual. I stand corrected, otherwise. I thank Mr Kotobalavu for his wise counsel and quote: “Unfortunately, they (public) are powerless to stop its implementation.” Unquote. It is what it is. We must move on. We must agree to disagree; and remain civil. Sometimes, being gracious in defeat is never easy. We must remain steadfast in moving Fiji forward. Thank you Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka for your strong and proven leadership skills. Fiji is indebted to you. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
PM Modi
As Bharat’s election concludes, people will remember Modi for giving them dignity and respect. Women, mothers and children will remember Modi for changing their life by way of cleanliness, bathrooms, free gas, houses, food rations and free health insurance etc. These are things that people make daily engagements with life. This has changed the imprint of how life functions from day to day. People may not remember Modi for his nobleness or Ram Mandir, but will be remembered as the PM who alternated the way governments functioned to ease people’s living. Food for thought for our Parliament. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Remove word
Those 40 MPs who had voted in favour of the Emoluments Committee Report, must immediately have the word ‘honourable’ removed from their title. I’d say, shame on them. Anthony Sahai
Levuka, Ovalau
Salary saga
Isn’t it amusing how the Special Committee on Emoluments, the very group that proposed the hefty salary hikes for MPs, was conveniently made up of MPs themselves? So, they basically cooked up their own pay raise recipe and then had the audacity to vote on it, for and against. Talk about having your cake and eating it too! Quite the intriguing scenario, wouldn’t you say? DINESH KUMAR
Ba
Confucius says
Confucius says, “In a country of good government, the people speak out boldly and act boldly”. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
Reasons for increase
Are the reasons given by Members of Parliament the last few days justifying and defending their to be salary increase meant to be humourous? I have been laughing so hard reading their basis I nearly peed my pants. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Pay rise
More confusion as mouths open. Dan Urai Lautoka
Paying well
I refer to FT 28/05, statement by the Honourable DPM Bill Gavoka, where he said: “Pay well and you get the best.” I feel it is an unfair statement, noting that during election campaigns, most parties emphasise prioritising the people’s needs. However, once elected, their actions often seem to diverge from their campaign promises. This reveals the true nature of some politicians who, despite their polished appearances and campaign rhetoric of prioritising the people, seem more focused on personal or financial gain once elected. This suggests a critical view of political leaders who may use appealing narratives to gain office but prioritise their own agendas thereafter. SV Tuwai Nasese
Wondering soccer ref
Of late, Jan Nissar’s letters to the editor have been about him “wondering” about many things. Could it be that some rust is finally scraping off? Maybe we will start seeing more sensible contributions from him now beyond his usual, bitter and senseless sarcasm. Inoke Vakalabure Yasiyasi Rd, Nadera, Nasinu
New Finance Minister
Mr Rabuka please do not take very severe action on NFP members who voted against the pay rise motion. Please make Lynda Tabuya the new Finance Minister. She and her team did wonders for you guys and I am sure she can do the same for us without wasting time and money on economic summits etc. Sukha Singh Labasa
Opportunity to review
As former veteran permanent secretary and now law university academic Jioji Kotobalavu says the people are powerless to challenge the sovereign decision of Parliament regarding the hefty pay rise and perks parliamentarians have granted themselves (FT 29/5). But in the final analysis the people will have the power to review the action of the politicians when they go to the polls.
And from the widespread public outrage it’s not looking good for the current crop of politicians. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Parliament channel
With the initial approval for increase in Parliamentary salaries and benefits, a lot of people are disturbed at the wrong choices they made during the last general elections. Their agony is further compounded by the sight of these souls on Parliament channel debating aimlessly with nothing to show. Can I suggest that this channel be suspended for a while and replaced with something more useful? Show us documentaries on what the farmers are doing at the Sigatoka valley or how the sugar mills are progressing with preparations before opening or take a look at hospitals etc. Ajai Kumar Nadi
Let’s save energy
Millions are spent on a daily basis to keep the country energized. Like water, every bit of energy must be saved to ensure our rainy days are not affected due to no stock and supply. Anything beyond our control is understandable. That said, let me now come to the main point which is concerning the streetlights burning day and night 24/7. There are a few in the area where I live at and that is Andrews Rd., Nadi. Could EFL take urgent action normalising the situation. Your attention is appreciated. Suresh Chand Nadi
Suki tax
What a clever Government. We soon will have a suki tax and yaqona tax may follow there after. Well, if you make these stuff expensive, more people will switch to drugs. Anyway the Government has to get this $8.1million from somewhere for the pay rise. Sukha Singh Labasa
Madrid or drift
This week, our Fiji 7s gladiators with 7s king Jerry Tuwai included, will be playing 7s champions New Zealand in their Madrid 7s first Pool game at 12.14am on Saturday. If our boys display their 7s magic and defeat New Zealand in their first Pool game; then Fiji 7s fans are assured that Plan B is now bearing fruit. If our boys bow out as normal in their first game, then we can say that nothing has changed and we just continue to drift like the other past tournaments. But, if NZ is defeated in the first game; I believe Jerry Tuwai’s magic together with the whole team’s positive mindset and craving to win this final 7s championship will come through. If our boys reach the Madrid 7s finals on Monday at 6.26am; I believe our Fiji 7s team with coach Kolinisau will make our nation proud
Tuwai on the radar!
As the Madrid 7s kicks off this weekend, Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s halfback and the most decorated 7s player Jerry Tuwai has been listed as one of the players to look out for. Tuwai is expected to shine in the national colours. The 35-year-old two-time Olympic champion and the 2019 World Rugby Men’s 7s Player of the Year last donned the national jumper at the HSBC London 7s last year, but coach Osea Kolinisau has given him an opportunity of firing his third shot at the Olympic gold in Paris. The winless Fijians will rub shoulders against the champion All Blacks 7s, Ireland and South Africa. Tuwai, when fit, is lethal and his experience and expertise will greatly assist the 7s team in finding our lost rhythm and winning form! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
A tribute to agreat man
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna
Born with noble blood
They called ‘Ratu’
But this alone did not make you great
Your greatness came from
A passion to be good and true
At listening and leading
Displaying courage in battle
You possessed a sense of duty
You earned great respect
You understood the value of education
With knowledge you helped your people
Your love for all Fijians was paramount
You spoke on behalf of the voiceless
You were not too proud
But proud only to be Fijian
They called you a Statesman
As great as one could be
You are laid to rest in Fiji soil
And your vision lives on. Julie Sutherland Suva
Pressing matter
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica has stated that tobacco remains a pressing public concern, with almost 20 per cent of Fijians revealed to smoke daily. He further specified that applying appropriate taxes on tobacco products would reduce the ills faced by the economy. A rather illogical suggestion by the minister indeed as past analysis had substantiated that increasing cigarette prices did not have a considerable influence on rigid smokers and their cancerous addiction. The tobacco trade does support livelihoods but on the flip side, it does pose significant health and financial burdens. If the Government is sincerely committed in curbing the ills of the tobacco industry and its impact on the fragile Fijian economy, they should desirably consider implementing a national ban on smoking and subsequently shutting down that non-beneficial “chimbi” factory in Nabua. You can’t have your cake and eat it too! Nishant Singh
Lautoka
Political career
Some years ago I asked a friend from the Western side why he was not vying for a ticket as candidate in the general elections despite knowing almost everything on Fijian politics. He had then replied: “sa lailai saraga na sau”. I haven’t spoken to him recently. Don’t know how he would respond now though! Who knows, he’s probably signed up already for 2026, like yesterday. Kon roki.
Donald Singh Suva
Fancy word
“Emoluments” – this could so far be voted as the most fancy word of the year, thanks to our “pompous” (self-serving) politicians. Nishant Singh Lautoka
