THE displacement of its preferred candidates for leadership positions prevents church schools from providing quality education and undermines human and constitutional rights, says Rev. Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa, the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma.
“This action by the Government also restricts the rights of the church which are protected under section 4 (3) (c) of the Constitution. In fact, the current initiative in the Ministry of Education prefers non-religious belief over religious belief,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He was commenting on school appointments made under the Open Merit Recruitment Selection (OMRS) system.
“Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are absolute rights and cannot be derogated or suspended, as is being done in this appointment policy, since it limits legitimate access to religious development for young citizens who attend schools run by their own religious organisations,” he added.
“Derogation of any right should be limited in any case, to prevent abuse of power and the harm that it can eventually cause, for faith groups and society at large.
“Recent media reports have highlighted the turmoil caused under this recruitment policy, where relevant competent experience (including religious development curriculum) has been relegated in preference for high academic qualifications,” Dr Vakadewavosa said.
Read the full article from the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma in tomorrow’s edition of The Fiji Times.
