MGM High creates history
MGM High School set a record in the history of the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Finals, winning the girls’ division for the first time. MGM High deserves a round of applause for adding excitement, colour and glamour to the closing ceremony. Jitesh Patel, the school administration team, coaching staff, staff, old scholars and the athletes deserve accolades for the beautiful win. It was coming.
They deserved the win, as preparations were intense, and the athletes were focused on writing a piece of history. On the other hand, hats off to Marist Brothers High School for defending the boys’ title. It was a tough task, considering the battle from Grammar. I salute the efforts of the athletes from outside Viti Levu, especially those from the maritime islands and Vanua Levu and those from small schools. They did wonders, but it was heart-breaking to see athletes without track shoes. I hope sponsors will pitch in next year to assist athletes. This year’s Games stood out. MGM High has gone into history books. The epic win will be treasured and remembered in years to come! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Swim or sink
Refer to article “Education challenges” (FT 4/5) as related to the USP deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Jito Vanualailai’s comments. To call the removal of the scaling system, stupid, is language I would not have used myself in deference to others’ differing opinion on the matter. The scaling system “recognised differences in resources given to different schools”, according to the good professor. If this is so, then isn’t the scaling system masking a resourcing issue? The good professor attributes the lowering of admission standards as contributing to graduate quality while criticising the removal of the scaling system. Correct me if I am wrong but I think that lowering entry standards and scaling are both forms of affirmative action. Graduate quality is best gotten by removing all forms of affirmative action and addressing issues at root-cause level. No masking. Either swim or sink. Mareko Vuli Wainibuku Rd, Nakasi
Poor service
Drove a 68-year-old neighbour to the Nadi dental department where he was given number 28 and was told to go and have his pressure taken because of his age. Fair enough, when we enquired, we were told to go to Triage where there was about 40 patients already in line at the hospital and waiting at 7.45am. There is no simple pressure machine at the dental clinic and one has to walk 200 metres to the Triage and back. So the retired AFL employee mentioned that we will have to wait long at the hospital. I then drove him to a private dentist where he was treated with two tooth extractions, he then paid for the services and off we left after 30 minutes. There was no senior medical officer on sight to complain to, but what can the patient do? How can the Nadi Hospital cater for tourists in this condition? Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Wages subsidy
Location, location! It’s all about location! Wages is all about location in the country and outer islands where we are from where keeping a business open is a necessity for families’ survival but a burden for the business itself because everything costs more and stocks can become scarce and need to be sourced from the mainland just to keep standards of operation descent and competitive.
And what of the benefits that micro and small businesses have to engage in daily just to get their workers to come to work? In some areas where there are no roads this calls for a staff boat service twice daily and a longer transfer once a week to shop. Meals are also provided and due to the isolation of some of these properties accommodation too has to be made available. Consider also that some of these micro and small businesses pay the same amount for hotel licences and liquor licences as the largest tourism ventures in Fiji. A factor that is beyond reasonable and one that would take a simple exercise to fix! Bottom line is raising the minimum wage to $6 would literally kill these micro and small businesses unless all the staff benefits that are being provided by them are subsidised. And what of new businesses looking to start up? This would simply encourage under-the-table deals where no one really wins! Raising the minimum wage is not going to stop our people from leaving our shores. That is, unless government makes some drastic changes to the cost of living and finds means to make money flow through the country just as drastically as the proposal for the increase in the minimum wage. The reality of the situation is that we are bringing upon ourselves a predicament where we are looking to re-live the COVID-19 situation and many will once again be forced to go back home and into farming and fishing for a living! There must be a balance between the reality of what we can afford as a nation and what we dream to achieve together!
Right now we are uncertain as to the pivotal point! Noleen Billings savusavu
Narcotics concern
In the wake of effects of narcotics spread to students (FT 3/5) let’s put some serious thoughts to work with stakeholders to control it urgently. A lot of awareness programs are needed. This includes availing school counsellors, advising parents and the communities to everyone’s benefit. Drug and substance abuse with mobile phone monitoring will help further to create a conducive learning environment in schools. Discipline parents first. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Thank you
Vinaka Master Arvind Mani (FT 6/04) for your heartwarming piece. It was one of those “LOL” moments. Keep it coming. Colin Deoki Australia
7s rugby coaching
Mmm … Ben Gollings wasn’t the problem then! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Soccer coach
Lautoka soccer is bringing in another coach just some weeks away from the Fiji FACT. In the past two years some six coaches from all over Fiji coached Lautoka but didn’t last long. Coaches from as far as Nasinu, Suva, Nadi, Ba, Tavua and even local Lautoka coaches did not last long in Lautoka. What could be the reason? Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Take 3 points
Drua please take the 3 points on offer rather than kicking for lineout in the first half. You could have beaten the Brumbies last Saturday. A win is a win — 4 points. It is a week-in and week-out match and you need to reduce your body from rucks and heavy contact. Save it for another week and kick 3 points! Maika Tabukovu Cunningham, Suva
Drug problem
There is something wrong with the statistics provided by Mr Naisele about drug issues. I am sure there are more than what he reported, for kava it is normal for many youth to consume it as it is our traditional drink. How about synthetic drugs, no report on students using synthetic drugs? I am sure looking at teenage pregnancy alone, it should ring a bell where it all starts from. Everyone knows that young adults share needles because they are simply not taught the danger of sharing needles. The Ministry of Health and education should work together so the staff from the Health Ministry can visit high schools, universities and other schools to educate young adults about the danger of drugs. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Quick views
Can Bharat Morris answer his own question (FT 6/5) by telling us how and when the “divine intervention” will happen to “clean the mess the world is in”? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Minimum wage
Two friends have raised the question why $6. Why not $10? (FT/6/5 ) I agree $10 may be closer to the living wage. Similar to what they pay at Cook Islands. Dan Urai Lautoka
Take heed
With 23 points Rewa FC sits at the top of DPL table, as nine rounds of the games gets concluded. They are yet to be defeated as far as the National League is concerned. Game after game, their performance seems to be getting only better. Such consistent delivery is attributable to the club’s officials and their players combined and unwavering effort, sheer determination, dedication, and hard work. These people put the club’s interest at heart and fulfil their respective duties honestly. We salute them for showing us the way battles are won through unity and teamwork. I congratulate you wholeheartedly. On Sunday the side defeated the men-in-black 2-1 at Ratu Cakobau Park. Their undefeated run continues which I am sure their fans must be loving it. However, the fact that there was no stretcher and ambulance present during this game leaves much to be desired of the standard of organisation and compliance to health and safety requirements. It can’t be helped because things are not taken seriously, and Occupational Health and Safety department is sleeping. This must not be allowed to happen again because players’ health and safety is paramount. Match officials must check all these before allowing the game to continue. It’s a red card offence if this not complied with. Please take heed. Suresh Chand Nadi
Repealed MIDA Act
In all the celebrations here on World Press Freedom Day last week, something just came glaringly to my attention. It’s about that infamous and now repealed media legislation formally titled “Media Industry Development Act 2010”. I believe that the title of the Act itself is incomplete and wrong. The Act itself was about the organisation called the Media Industry Development Authority ( MIDA).
So the Act should have been called just that — Media Industry Development Authority Act. 2010. The word “Authority” was missing from the title of the Act. Another thing, it’s amendment Act in 2022 was passed as a budget amendment Act, when really there was no real effect on the budget by the amendments made. So very unusual really, but it went through without any hue and cry.
Anyway, that’s all water under the bridge now. But still, it’s the principle of the matter that counts and must be mentioned to set the record straight, in case one thought it was all okay! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Bad to worse
Plan B is not working as our Fiji 7s team performance in the Singapore 7s seems to have gone from bad to worse, not even making the Cup quarterfinals. Madrid 7s is coming up at the end of this month and it is a Winner Takes All Tournament for the Top 8 teams in the current series. Can our Fiji 7s team make Fijians proud by doing the impossible, no series win but champion in the Madrid 7s winner takes all? Watching the replay, we can say that the team needs to have their thinking caps on; to stop tackling high, make their one to one tackles count and no unsure off-loads. To coach Kolinisau and the boys, we die hard Fiji 7s fans know that you can make Fiji proud again and we all pray that you will prepare well and surprise the 7s rugby world in Madrid. Go Fiji, go. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
