Missed the bus
I was very impressed to read about Farasiko Saunivalu (R Vunirewa, FT 12/1/23). I take my hat off for his determination to return to high school in 1987 at 30 years of age. His perseverance led him to finish high school, became a teacher, and then teach for 20 years. His story reminded me of my own father’s story. He was considered over-aged back in the 1940s and he could not take the qualifying exam of those days. So, he wrote a letter to then Fulton Missionaries College in Tailevu, without knowing the address of the place. I guess the letter somehow did find its way to the school and he was jazzed to get in and eventually finish his teaching credentials at that teacher’s college. There is no end to learning no matter what your age and Mr Saunivalu is an inspiration to all those who may think they have missed the bus. Don’t give up as age is no barrier. Praneet Singh Sacramento, CA
Wonderful advice
What an inspiring tale related in The Fiji Times (12/01) about the life experiences of Farasiko Saunivalu of Namosi. I am fortunate to have met and know Mr Farasiko and I must say he is a fine, gentleman who is always down to earth despite being a teacher. Never did I know that he had faced a lot of challenges in life, especially re-entering the secondary school system when he was 30 years old and his wife being his teacher as well in school. Mr Farasiko’s advice to everyone is: “It’s never too late to start anything. If you think you’ve missed the bus, think again. All you need is determination and willingness to achieve your goal.” Thank you Mr Farasiko for the wonderful advice and hope that you would live long to relate your life experiences to every person you encounter for I believe your story and advice is worth listening to in these challenging times we are going through. KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Nurses leave for higher pay
Honourable Dr Atonio Lalabalavu and his medical team have a mammoth task on their plate as nurses are leaving Fiji for better pay. In the recent months, some close friends have migrated to New Zealand as they were offered better terms and conditions. I know Fiji will find it hard to match the terms and conditions that NZ and Australia are offering, but we can start from somewhere and ensure we retain the services of our nurses who have a distinguished career. We might not able to stop all, but definitely stop some nurses from migrating for greener pastures. It’s important to meet, talanoa, and pave the way forward! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Sarcasm machine
One says the new retirement age of 60 in not sensible. Neither are open-ended contracts in the civil service. On the contrary, who said FijiFirst party should rule forever? Before I lose control, I am just going to cut off the electricity supply to the sarcasm machine and head for intensive foot therapy. Extra deep breaths untill I pass out for a while. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Moral compass
I agree with Tessa Mackenzie that there is a distinct difference between the two coup makers. It is unfair to paint them with the same brush. Let’s not blindfold ourselves as to the real reasons for the 1987 and 2006 coups. It seems some people have forgotten that Sitiveni Rabuka played an instrumental role in reviewing the racially-biased 1990 constitution and substituting it with the widely acclaimed 1997 constitution which saw the appointment of the first Indo Fijian as the prime minister of Fiji. In contrast the 2013 Constitution was never enacted by Parliament. Therefore, many still question its legality. Mr Rabuka paid a heavy price for the compromise as he was deserted by the very people he stood up for. Wasn’t that a huge sacrifice on his part? That in itself is a trait of a true statesman because he rose above parochial interest for the greater good of the country and its citizens. The change is enough proof that the people have realised who is the better leader of the two. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Timely assistance
THROUGH the announcement by the Rabuka Government of $200 cash assistance to Fijians prior to the start of the new school year, the Prime Minister has assured all children can return to school without difficulty. Now it’s the parents’ duty to see that the money is spent accordingly. There will always be differences between the parents but they will have to remember that the fund is a priority for their children. The coalition Government has very simply announced ways to receive money and hopefully, it will continue for the years to come. Now it’s in the parents’ hands that their children complete their education and are able to be successful in their future. Tomasi Boginiso Liverpool, Australia
Important feedback
In ‘Today’s Thought’ Bill Gates tells us: “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve” (FT 12/1/23). The two-men government we had over the past 16 years did not attach any real importance to feedback. They thought they had the answers to everything. They were wrong. The new Government must not make that mistake. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Family reunion
The best part of Christmas and New Year is when the empty houses are filled with laughter and jokes. Children return home to celebrate the big day. Every parent/grandparent waits for these days. Mothers cook the best meals and father finds the best livestock. The excitement you get to see on their faces. Small towns become crowded, and the village is populated by people of all ages. Catching up stories with neighbours and old village friends. A few days of stay have reached an end. Parents pack local foods for their children. The time has come to depart. The smiling faces have disappeared. Houses are once again empty. The silent house starts to haunt the poor parents. Once again, they wait patiently for their kids’ return. No place is better than your home. RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ Naleba, Labasa
Civil servants and contracts
My deepest gratitude to the Government and Fiji’s Public Service Commission for removing contracts from civil servants. I have heard and read many good reasons why contracts should be removed. However, may I add other fundamental and critical issues that rationalise the need for civil servants to be on a more permanent tenure until they retire as these are also recognised worldwide. Firstly, the principle of maintaining and using institutional knowledge. This is for a consistent, efficient and effective operation of a civil service. As civil servants are serving the public with taxpayers’ money, they are supposed to be well versed at all times and at all levels, of what the standard procedures and policies of serving the public are. With civil servants of different and short contracts, expiring at different times, there is an ever-present likelihood or danger of new contract holders not being familiar with everything while serving the public, and not delivering or making grievous mistakes. The longer a worker is on the job the greater the experience and institutional knowledge. Given that in the public service there will be the continuous performance appraisals, Secondly, is for security reasons. A more long-standing cadre of public servants have a greater chance to be absorbed into the civil service culture to cultivate a respect for the values, principles and obligations that come with the civil service. Hence, they are more likely to respect the principles and policies of being apolitical; objective and to honour the obligation or oath to keep confidentiality of information that comes with the ministries they serve. Security of tenure also makes for a stress free worker who knows the safety of working withing the legislations, policies and procedures. The worker is not anxious about having to carry out orders outside the policies just to “Please the Boss”, for the sake of having his/her contract renewed. May I just add that after the 1987 and 2000 coups, what I believed saved Fiji was the fact that the Public Service Commission remained intact. It was not interfered with. This was the system left by the British. Its standing policies and procedures continued to be honoured and thus gave continuity or a form of steady governance. For example, despite the political upheavals, the teachers of Fiji continued to work seamlessly under the agreed conditions of work in the Collective Agreements that were signed with government (PSC/MOE) at the time. (FIT Collective Agreement & Government General Orders). Susana Tuisawau Wainivula Rd, Nasinu
Lands Minister
Wasn’t it so wonderful to see the new Minister for Lands, Mr Vosarogo (The Fiji Times, 12/1/23) shed his suit and robes he was so used to as part of his legal career, to visit ongoing projects on the ground, dressed as one of them? Perhaps other ministers can take his cue and come down to Earth to get to grips with what is happening in the real world. Altauf Chand Minto, NSW, Australia
School help
Definitely, I believe, a percentage of the $200 per child back to school initiative will be spent on grog, cigarettes and alcohol. Watch for an increase in sales. Isa o Viti! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Be prepared
As both are equally disastrous cyclone is seasonal whereas COVID can spike any time. Let’s always be prepared as the Prime Minister Rabuka’s concern on “no jab no job” policy (FT11/1) following COVID protocols to be taken seriously by all the Fijians for their safety and the safety of others. Safety first. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
A party leader
So, Premila Kumar reckons; Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is still a leader in the FFP. How is he going to lead, by Zoom? Better yet, how did he get into a leadership role after the COC debacle? By Messenger, Viber, Tinder? Manoj Lal Patel Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Teacher contract
As teachers are happy with the removal of contracts, how about the teachers registration which is handled by FTRA and are renewed every now and then? And by the way, can the ex minister of education please wait for parliament session to voice your opinion rather than calling for a press conference? Your time is up and over madam. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Grog in schools
I applaud the initiative by the Ministry of Education to abolish the consumption of kava in schools. It should have happened years ago. I taught at a large boys’ school in Flagstaff where I offered to be the first aid officer as well. I equipped the small room with necessary items: pillow and blanket, hot water bottle, ice pack (a pack of frozen mixed vegetables kept in the mini-bar fridge in the Administrator’s office) and a bucket. First the blanket disappeared, next the water bottle and then the ‘icepack’ which went missing from the fridge which I suspect was eaten. Finally the bucket was gone until I saw where it went. It was used by the staff to mix kava. Fathers, ‘Teach your children well” (song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, 1983). Julie Sutherland Suva
