The Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) proposes introducing competency-based Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) lessons in secondary schools as a long-term intervention to address the exodus of skilled professionals in Fiji.

Conducting consultations in the Northern Division this week, an FHEC consultation team led by Chair Mr Steve Chand visited secondary schools and higher educational institutions to discuss the idea and participate in the feedback.

Mr Chand believes providing these options in secondary schools will give students the skills to enter highly skilled trade and service professions. “The idea is to produce more skilled people to cater to local and overseas markets. We can’t stop migration, and this is the best solution to address the issue of the exodus of skilled professionals,” Mr Chand described.

FHEC Director, Dr Rohit Kishore explained that the proposed competency-based lessons will allow students to exit secondary school with Certificate Level 1 and 2 qualifications, immediately rendering them employable.

“The enticing element of the package is the hundred percent coursework and serve those students who are often disheartened by academic examinations,” Dr Kishore continued.

Dr Kishore further said that parents need to change their mindset and recognize the value of TVET lessons, and the benefits attached as per the demand in the labour market today.

Teachers in the Northern Division who participated in the consultation support the proposal by the FHEC, hoping that it’s implemented early with a sound review of the current curriculum.

The Northern Division teachers expressed their desire for a thorough primary and secondary education school curriculum review to the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) visiting consultation team in the North this week. The consultation was held to explore how best to introduce competency–based TVET lessons into the secondary school system.

“This is a common sentiment we have gathered from teachers throughout the country,” explained FHEC Chair, Mr Steve Chand. ”

“They raised that many lessons have become outdated, and some topics are irrelevant to Fiji’s current trends and development.”

Teachers teaching TVET subjects highlighted the need to shift from emphasizing theoretical leaning to a more hands-on approach incorporating practical assignments to help students better understand the topics.

FHEC Director, Dr Rohit Kishore expressed the need to strengthen education systems and introduce curriculum reforms to better prepare students for the world of work. He also suggested introducing TVET competency-based courses into the secondary school curriculum to equip students with career-specific skills and greater employability opportunities.

The teachers thanked FHEC for taking the initiative to visit schools and institutions in the North and expressed their hope that the recommendations on the primary and secondary curriculum reform will be implemented at the earliest.

To provide work attachments for their students, Montfort Technical Training Institute (MITT) in Savusavu brings the industry into their school.

This concept applies to the students studying Carpentry and Joinery who worked to complete orders of chairs and desks from some schools in the three provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua, and Macuata.

“Instead of arranging placements for practical experience, students work on furniture orders and are closely monitored and assessed by their own teachers,” described MITT Principal, Bro Gibi John.

The school cut their Mahogany Trees to provide the timber and sell the furniture. The process provides income for the school and the practical component of the course.

FHEC Chair, Mr Steve Chand salutes the school management and teachers for their dedication and commitment to providing quality education and training.

The Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Training workshop held last week was a success. The workshop was sponsored by the Secretariat of Pacific-Community-SPC and organised in cooperation with the Fiji Higher Education Commission Listen to the feedback from some of the participants.

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