Not too long ago, initiatives on education were popular during political campaigns.
The public saw such pronouncements as much needed relief, for it came at a time when prices were escalating while wages remained somewhat static.
Hence, a number of programs like free tuition, free bus fares, scholarships and loans, and even free milk and Weet-Bix for year one students were received wholeheartedly.
The education burden weighted lighter on parents’ shoulders in a wide cross section of Fiji’s communities.
Government called these educational opportunities “an investment” and some burdens shifted from parents to taxpayers.
The idea was to boost education and employment, and advance the economy.
But, in response to the financial climate, authorities seem to have gone back on their word and made decisions many students, parents and key stakeholders are finding uncomfortable to swallow.
Yes, many will accept these changes, get financial help from elsewhere and move on.
But for others the feeling of discouragement will be hard to avoid.
Students who want to study aircraft engineering and Tourism Programs will have to opt for the tertiary education Loans Scheme because National Toppers Scholarship for these two programs have now been suspended.
Scholarships and loans for students pursuing MBBS, oral health and oral health & dental surgery programs have also been suspended.
Authorities have justified the move by claiming the country has enough professionals in these fields and a change in policy was needed to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board is reviewing the national priority areas for funding under the scholarship and loans scheme.
The review will establish the human resources need of the country’s industry sectors over the next 10 years.
National Federation Party’s Prof Biman Prasad was quick to point out this week that government’s latest policy changes betrayed student’s hopes and expectations.
He added Government had reneged on its pre-November 2018 election policies on Tertiary Education Loans and Scholarships (TELS).
Last week, I shared with you how over restrictive policies may impede on youth’s ability to participate actively and effectively in the governance of the country.
This week’s stories in the media are subtly similar.
They touch on the burden of education and the effect of policy decisions on youth educational and employment opportunity.
They also remind us of the need to have sound police advice and sound police direction and intervention.
Our population statistics tell us that decades of population growth has increased the number of young people among us.
In Fiji, the youth bulge seems acute.
Half of our population is below the age of 27.5 years.
The future, with COVID-19, adverse climate change effects, regular bouts of extreme natural disasters and a global economic meltdown in the picture, doesn’t seem very promising.
In fact, some experts are already predicting this year will be a rough patch, especially for those who were twice whammed by the pandemic and the recent storm.
Former Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Savenaca Narube, who has been a voice of reason and a regular contributor in The Fiji Times, believes 2021 will be worse than last year.
He suggests that as a matter of priority, Fijians must work together to cushion the “unprecedented crisis” that envelope us.
How the needs of our youths are satisfied through the provision of enabling opportunities will determine our future socio-economic prosperity and political stability.
How we treat our young people now, during these hard times, will impact how well we fare in a few years from now.
The truth is that, policy decisions must not expose them to more hardships and heighten their vulnerabilities.
They should not thwart their educational career options and choices.
Instead they must be harnessed to encourage creativity, dynamism and innovation, and avoid political and economic marginalisation and resentment.
Studies show that financial security, the lack of education opportunities, poverty and availability of paid jobs make up the many issues that preoccupy
the minds of our young men and women.
While these are global challenges that afflict whole populations, their impact on each young citizens can be troubling if not appropriately addressed
through careful and smart policy choices.
That is why on the recent education decisions, Prof Prasad has warned government against cost cutting in priority areas and sacrificing the future of our students.
“Any further silence by the Government, particularly the Economy and Education ministers on this critical issue would mean their seal of approval of the plan to financially burden parents and destroy the chosen career paths of students,” he said.
The NFP party leader’s comments seek to convince our leaders to prioritise their enabling policies.
It is OK to cut back on public expenses in an effort to ensure financial prudence, but these must be made in the right places, not in priority areas whose consequences are far-reaching.
Education Minister Rosy Akbar’s remark in The Fiji Times that school attendance around the country stood at 95 per cent on Tuesday, despite the fact that we just barely survived another monster cyclone, needs to be applauded.
If the statistic holds, then we ought to thank all parents and communities for their forbearance and endurance.
Also, all stakeholders in education who have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to ensure our children return to school on time, and all those who will continue to dedicate their time over the next few weeks, demand our warmest vinaka vakalevu.
Today, our young are showing us they know their voice in the world and are eager to use the supportive opportunities they get to be strong and vibrant leaders of the future.
But this pathway to economic empowerment and participation is not easy.
The global crises we encounter have bestowed on us the awareness of that harsh reality.
And the reality is – we must find solutions together and work on them together.
I pray that hopefully, our politicians from both sides of the divide will find the solutions that exist within them and understand that these unprecedented
times call for an unprecedented demonstration of goodwill and solidarity.
The Government cannot shoulder the current economic and political burden alone.
It cannot pretend that things are under control.
Period!
Our situation, or mess if you’d like to call it that way, is bigger than what government seems to believe it is.
Help is desperately needed and help is in abundance.
But in the spirit with which authorities may extend an SOS call, it must equally be willing to listen and consider alternative views for it does not have all the solutions needed to get us out of the catastrophe we are inching toward.
Unilateral decision-making and leadership must go before we can rise again.
Until we meet again on this same page same time next week, stay blessed, stay healthy and stay safe.
