FIVE major public colleges in the country are expected to come under one umbrella body.
The interim Cabinet has approved the merger of the Fiji Institute of Technology, the Fiji College of Agriculture, the Fiji School of Nursing, the Fiji College of Advanced Education and the Lautoka Teachers College to come under the Fiji University of Science and Technology.
It based its decision on a submission by the interim Education Minister Netani Sukanaivalu, and presented on behalf of the interim Public Service, Public Enterprises and Public Sector Reform Minister Poseci Bune. A scoping study is expected to be undertaken to clearly articulate the financial viability, educational and other benefits of the proposed merger.
Mr Bune said the study would determine whether the changes could be accomplished through short term and immediate change over a few months, mid-term transformation happening in stages over two years, or longer term development over a number of years.
Mr Bune explained the merger was part of a proposed dual system of education in Fiji that started at the primary level and goes all the way up to university level.
He said the institutes coming together was a timely strategic re-positioning of five state-owned colleges in Fiji under a single jurisdiction that had the potential to make a tremendous impact on education delivery, access and quality and in meeting Fiji's manpower needs.
"The nature of the merger will provide an opportunity to rationalise the total operations of the five institutions to achieve greater fiscal and administrative efficiencies." Former FIT director Kolinio Meo said the idea was not a new concept as the ground work for this was done when he was with FIT. Fiji Teachers Union general secretary Agni Deo Singh expressed disappointment saying they were not consulted on the matter.
