Fiji's Education Minister Aseri Radrodro receives a bowl of kava during the opening ceremony of the Special and Inclusive Education Policy launch on 7 June 2024. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of Education FIJI
As thousands of Fijian children start their new school year on Monday, the nation's education minister urged parents and teachers to cut down on their consumption of kava, the state broadcaster reports.
Aseri Radrodro made the comment at a special church service on Sunday in the capital, Suva, suggesting that drinking kava - traditionally a ceremonial drink that has become a common and popular beverage in various settings in the country - hinders childrens education.
He said that reducing kava drinking will ensure children are supported.
"Children come to school with different needs and challenges, he said, adding, "If teachers are not physically prepared to cater to them, it could result in negative outcomes."
Radrodro said responsible habits are essential for maintaining the energy and focus required to effectively support students in their academic endeavours, the Education Ministry said in a statement.
Education challenges
Fiji faces a shortage of qualified teachers, and the government is struggling to address the issue. There are an estimated 245,000 students in early childhood education, primary, secondary and special needs schools.
The government has also expressed concerns about as many as 40 percent (of 90,000) of students dropping out of school between Years 8 and 12, according to an FBC report from May 2024.
The Fiji Sun, in an article published in December, said "the state of Fiji's education system…is a pressing crisis".
"The failure to adequately educate our children is nothing short of a disgrace, with dire consequences that are already manifesting in society," the newspaper's chief sub-editor Maikeli Seru wrote, calling for the reform of the education sector.
The Fiji government allocated FJ$778 million (approx. NZ$587m) for the education sector, the largest allocation in the 2024-2025 Budget, with hopes of addressing some of the challenges it faces.
