Former Education Ministry permanent secretary Iowane Tiko resigned from The People’s Alliance and has put his hand up to contest the 2022 polls under the Unity Fiji Party banner.
He believes he has a duty to the nation and wants to use his experience to uplift the education sector.
Mr Tiko said he left a secure job at a local university with a lucrative salary when he was approached by party leader Savenaca Narube.
“I went through all the ranks within the Ministry of Education before I was appointed permanent secretary,” Mr Tiko said.
He graduated from Lautoka Teachers College in 1988 and started his teaching career in 1989.
For 12 years he taught in some of the most remote schools in the Northern and Eastern divisions.
Mr Tiko was awarded the Aoteroa scholarship to pursue a teaching degree at Waikato University, New Zealand.
He returned to Fiji and was appointed maths senior education officer at the Curriculum Development Unit (CDU) until he was transferred to the then Lautoka Teachers College (LTC) where he taught for nine years.
He also graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Masters in Education and also achieved a Masters in Mathematics from Deakin University, Australia.
At LTC, Mr Tiko said he delivered the numeracy strategy that has been used by many teachers over the years.
“When I entered MoE as senior education officer, I was the most qualified because I had double masters.”
He said education changed with time and it was important to keep abreast with developments.
“I believe that I have the experience and qualifications to assist uplift Fiji’s education sector.
“Teachers need refresher courses because the curriculum keeps changing.
“Education is never stagnant and it is the responsibility of the ministry to upgrade teachers’ profession.”
He said he grew up during challenging times when his father taught in some of the remote areas in Fiji.
“At that time we used to walk to school because there was no transport.
“We faced a lot of challenges but we learnt to appreciate life and what we had.
“In Cikobia, the boat usually comes once every six months, sometimes there is no sugar on the island so we survive on coconut juice.”
Mr Tiko is originally from Navakawau Village, Vuna, in Taveuni with maternal links to Kocoma, Qamea in Cakaudrove.
He attended Vuna District School then completed secondary education in Bucalevu Secondary School and Queen Victoria School.
