It is disconcerting that a significant number of non-readers exist in both primary and secondary schools, says Education Ministry permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca.
While speaking at the opening of the Pacific Community’s Regional Education Leadership Summit in Nadi, Ms Kuruleca emphasised the urgency of improving children’s literacy and numeracy in Fiji and across the region.
She said it was important for school leaders to identify students who required intervention programs.
“Identify them early through an integrated health and education system,” she said.
“Call on your colleagues across the sectors, seek clarity, be child-centred, be a teacher and be teachable, be the transformational leader.
“Addressing the issue of low numeracy and literacy rates is quite a responsibility.
“I encourage you to engage with parents, guardians and communities to devise effective strategies starting from the preschool stage, ensuring that as students transition up the ladder they are confident and fluent readers.
“Research has continued to reaffirm that a child that is read through and continues to read for 20 to 30 minutes each day is statistically more likely to succeed and thrive compared with the child that is not exposed to reading.
“Let us be the leader who starts the reading at home and systematically integrates it into their classrooms, schools and institutions.”
Ms Kuruleca also welcomed the Coalition Government’s decision to re-establish vocational and technical colleges.
“This needs to be filtered down to our students and parents.
“Unfortunately, over the year, there exists a prevailing notion that such technical and vocational training is lesser value.
“You and I must work together to shift this mindset and socialise that TVET is a viable real solution for our students and, indeed our young adults.
“From an educational perspective, the social, economic and indeed the mental health perspective, TVET or the teaching of vocational and life skills have shown to decrease the sense of helplessness in young people by giving our students hope for a viable career path.”
