Education in Fiji – innovative and available to all
Education in Fiji is taken seriously – primary school enrolment is compulsory and the majority of Fijians complete secondary school.
In fact, roughly 94% of Fiji students finish high school, which is an impressive number in any region of the world.
A major reason for this is that education in Fiji is free from ages 6 to 16. While most schools are government-funded, religious organizations also play their part in providing education opportunities for Fijian children and teenagers.
Like most Commonwealth countries, there is no junior high school in Fiji. After primary (or elementary) school is finished, Fijian students go on to high school. They can either do 3 years and leave to pursue a vocational goal or stay on for 2 more years and look towards tertiary education.
English is generally the teaching language, but students also learn Fijian, Hindi and other languages depending on the school.
As you would expect with such a racially diverse country, Fijian schools also represent the country’s multiculturalism. There are schools catering to various faiths, including Catholic, Muslim, Hindi and Chinese schools. Parents have the option of sending their children to private or public schools and big cities such as Suva have recently seen a surge in international schools.
As with many countries, the standard of education and facilities can vary. Urban schools tend to have better equipped and staffed schools, while rural schools can sometimes be lacking in resources. While private education is certainly available, the cost is considerable and the bulk of education in Fiji is through public institutions.
Despite this, the system works. Fijian students have a literacy rate of over 92% and more and more are focused on finishing high school to chase tertiary options.
All students do Math and English, with other subjects including Fijian, Hindu, woodworking, metal work, home economics, social studies, chemistry and physics.
Fijian students learn about the variety of cultures in their society and the history of their country. A strong focus is given to the natural world, with plenty of time spent understanding the unique ecosystem that surrounds them and how to preserve it.
And then there are the sports.
For a country that embraces the outdoors and healthy living, Fiji punches way above its weight in sports. It all begins in schools.
Fijian students enjoy a huge range of sports such as athletics, rugby union, rugby league, netball, hockey, cricket, soccer, swimming and basketball.
Every year up to 140 schools from across the country meet for a huge athletics carnival known as the Coca Cola Games. This is much-anticipated event and is a chance for up-and-coming athletes to make a name for themselves. Many students who perform well in these games go on to adult sporting careers in the big sports such as rugby union, rugby league, netball and hockey.
If students wish to complete high school and enter a university, their options are becoming better and better. Education in Fiji has seen tremendous growth in the number and quality of universities and vocational colleges.
The University of South Pacific is the most well-know tertiary institution in the South Pacific region. There are also several agricultural, technical and medical schools now offering Fijian students courses that are recognized internationally.
The key to the future of education in Fiji lies in investment from both local and overseas governments. Fiji already attracts students from other South Pacific nations and is fast becoming an educational center in its own right.
Finally, from all the team at FijiDream – Happy 2023!
We wish you a healthy and prosperous new year and thank you as always for your continued support.
