As the review of Fiji’s Education Act 1966 progresses, the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation — representing businesses across our diverse economic sectors — urges policymakers to consider the economic dimensions of education reform. While we commend the Law Reform Commission and Ministry of Education for undertaking this necessary review, we believe economic imperatives must be central to the reform agenda as the link between education quality and economic development is well-established.
The evidence of our education system’s current challenges is both alarming and undeniable. English pass rates have declined from 73 per cent in 2015 to 57 per cent today. Over 6000 students failed the 2024 Year 8 Exam. Only 41 per cent of students passed mathematics in Year 8. These are not abstract statistics — they represent a generation of Fijians increasingly unprepared for meaningful participation in our economy.
The global evidence linking education outcomes to economic growth is well-established. Recent research published in Nature demonstrates that population segments with higher education have a significantly positive impact on GDP growth across 38 OECD countries. The World Bank consistently identifies education as a foundational infrastructure for job creation and poverty reduction, with research indicating a 10 per cent increase in hourly earnings for every extra year of schooling globally.
According to World Bank estimates, the generation of children affected by learning losses could lose a combined total of $US21 trillion in lifetime earnings in present value, equivalent to 17- per cent of today’s global GDP. Applied to Fiji’s context, our declining educational outcomes represent not just classroom failures but potential economic losses that will reverberate through our economy for decades.
We can already see the outcome of underinvestment in education in the current skills crisis. If our education system worked effectively, our labour market would not be as distorted and would not be impacting businesses as severely as it is now. Employers across many sectors are struggling to find qualified workers with necessary skills, forcing many to either invest heavily in remedial training or recruit from overseas at significant expense. This skills mismatch is a direct consequence of an education system that has not evolved to meet economic needs.
As the reform process continues, we urge particular attention to five critical areas that directly impact our economic future:
First, infrastructure investment must be prioritised within the reform agenda. A recent assessment of schools in the Suva-Nausori corridor— our most developed area, found that 70 per cent of schools exceed recommended classroom capacity. Primary schools need an additional 168 classrooms, while secondary schools require 81 more. Nearly half of the assessed schools fail to meet the Fiji National Building Code’s toilet-to-student ratio. Most troublingly, 55 per cent of schools report structural issues such as cracked walls, corroded roofing, and damaged flooring. These infrastructure deficiencies directly impact learning outcomes by creating environments unconducive to effective teaching and learning.
Second, the curriculum framework requires substantial modernisation. The current framework, first approved in 2007, predates the smartphone revolution and the fundamental shifts in our global economy. There exists a significant mismatch between the skills produced by our education system and those required by employers. Our student graduates lack digital literacy, problem-solving capabilities, adaptability, and the technical skills aligned with our economic needs. The reform process must prioritise a core skills framework that emphasises literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and soft skills, with integration of entrepreneurship education and enhanced focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Third, teacher development must be central to the reform. The quality of our education system cannot exceed the quality of our teachers. Expanded professional development, particularly in literacy, numeracy, and digital instruction, is essential to prepare students for a rapidly evolving economy. The reform should include specific provisions for ongoing teacher training and support.
Fourth, employer consultation mechanisms must be formalised within the new Act. The business community has unique insights into workforce needs and skill gaps. The revised Education Act should require systematic consultation with employer groups on curriculum development and establish mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on educational outcomes in relation to economic indicators.
Fifth, implementation planning must be rigorous and phased. We recommend that the reform include provisions for a phased implementation approach that begins with immediate actions to address the most critical needs, proceeds through medium-term curriculum and infrastructure improvements, and culminates in a comprehensive evaluation and continuous improvement mechanism.
The economic benefits of addressing these specific areas would be substantial and far-reaching. Workforce productivity would be enhanced through stronger foundational skills, better alignment between education outcomes and employer needs, enhanced digital literacy supporting technological adoption, and improved soft skills facilitating more effective workplace collaboration.
A modernised education system would support economic diversification by developing the skills needed for emerging industries, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, enhancing Fiji’s attractiveness for foreign investment, and supporting the growth of knowledge-intensive sectors.
Beyond direct economic benefits, these targeted improvements would contribute to broader social development through reduced inequality, enhanced social cohesion, better health outcomes, and increased civic participation.
Some will argue that Fiji cannot afford to address all these areas within the current reform. We contend that Fiji cannot afford to overlook them. As the saying goes, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” The economic costs of continued educational underperformance far outweigh the investments required for meaningful improvement.
The business community stands ready to partner with Government in this important work, offering our expertise, perspective, and support. By ensuring that these economic dimensions are prioritised within the ongoing reform process, we can maximise the return on our national investment in education for a better Fiji.
EDWARD BERNARD is the CEO for the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation. The views expressed herein are his and not of this newspaper.
