Approximately 80% of Fiji’s Early Childhood Education teachers have submitted applications to work overseas, according to the General Secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, Paula Manumanunitoga. He attributes this alarming trend to the low wages that educators receive, driving them to seek better opportunities abroad.
Manumanunitoga emphasized that teaching is a noble profession, but the current compensation fails to reflect its importance. He noted that in primary schools alone, there is a shortage of around 500 teachers, which means nearly every school is operating with at least one vacancy.
While the union acknowledges that it cannot prevent teachers from leaving, Manumanunitoga urged the government to address the issue by considering a pay raise to retain educators.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Manumanunitoga advised teachers to maintain their passion for their work. He encouraged them to continue their commitment to their profession, even though the government has yet to address their concerns.