Prioritise education costs: Govt
Friday August 17, 2007

Fiji’s education ministry has reminded parents that the education of their children should take top priority over other obligations.

Interim Education Minister, Netani Sukanaivalu sounded the advice given the numerous social activities taking place during this second week of the holidays.

“The third term school fees must be paid and stationery must be purchased to ensure students start the new term well. Very often students bear the brunt of late payment, or worse still, the non payment of fees because parents have failed to keep their side of the bargain,” he said.

“ The Ministry has assisted all parents through its tuition free fees to students from Class One to Form Seven. However parents must not be overly dependent on government assistance and be prepared to bear their part of the cost of education for their children,” he said.

Sukanaivalu said the Hibiscus Festival, the Methodist Church conference, in addition to the finals of the Deans trophy are some of the big events taking place this week.

“These activities, will no doubt, attract children - an additional burden on the family’s budget,” he said.

“ It is therefore very important that children be advised on what the family can or cannot afford. Open dialogue on the financial situation of the family would allow the child to see why he or she cannot be given whatever is asked for. It is important that children be informed on all issues directly related to them. The best source of that information ought to be the parents instead of their friends and fellow peers.”

Sukanaivalu said this last week of the holidays would be an ideal time to re-establish relationships with children especially those at boarding schools, and to mentally prepare them for examinations that will take place in Term Three.

“Words of encouragement and motivation will go a long way in minimizing examination phobias,” he said.