Children’s right to education means little if rural schools lack the leadership they need, said Maika Suliano of Nayavu, Wainibuka in Tailevu.
He raised the concern during the public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at Wailotua No 1 Village on Wednesday, questioning why Wainibuka District School did not have a headteacher.
“Rights to an individual, children’s rights to education, Wainibuka District School doesn’t have a headteacher,” he said.
“Where is the right to education for students?”
He also called for the iTaukei language to have the same importance as English in schools.
Mr Suliano further criticised the way some civil servants responded to members of the public, particularly those making inquiries by email.
“Civil servants’ customer service to general public on emails, we should be treated with the same respect as any other person with higher status,” he added
“Especially since travelling to the main office is costly for us. We request that we are not ignored.”
His submission covered education, access to natural resources, language and the treatment of rural communities by government agencies.
The consultation was held by the special committee chaired by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to receive public views on the proposed constitutional amendments.
