Education
Section 31 [Chapter 2 – Bill of Rights] of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, 2013 enshrines the right to education: “(1) Every person has the right to (a) early childhood education; (b) primary and secondary education; and (c) further education.” The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts is responsible for building a knowledge-based society by ensuring that Fijians have equitable access to high-quality education at all levels. is responsible for building a knowledge-based society by ensuring that Fijians have equitable access to high-quality education at all levels.
The Fijian education system is broadly structured into:
- School Education (Early Childhood Education, Primary, and Secondary Schools),
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education.
School Education
School education is similar across the country, guided by the Fiji National Curriculum Framework, commonly referred to as the NCF. It identifies six Foundation Areas of Learning and Development (FALD) for early childhood and seven Key Learning Areas (KLAs) for the primary and secondary levels of schooling. The curriculum is grouped into these areas and is described using essential learning outcomes for all students. English is the primary language of instruction in the education system.
School education is compulsory from Year 1 to Year 12 (primary and secondary) and is fully subsidised by tuition grants, including special and inclusive education grant for children with special needs enrolled in Inclusive or Mainstream Schools. This provision represents the government’s conviction that education is a priority in raising the standard of living of the people of Fiji. School education is administered and supervised by the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts and governed by the Education Act of 1966. for children with special needs enrolled in Inclusive or Mainstream Schools. This provision represents the government’s conviction that education is a priority in raising the standard of living of the people of Fiji. School education is administered and supervised by the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts and governed by the Education Act of 1966.
One of the strengths of the education system in Fiji is the support of communities and other controlling authorities in the establishment and funding of schools. This has been a major driving force in our high literacy rates, particularly in the essential years of schooling. Private primary and secondary schools also receive some government funding but are primarily funded through charging fees.
School education is divided into the following categories:
- Early Childhood Education
The ECCE Tuition Subsidy Grant supports the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for standalone kindergartens or those attached to a primary school. ECCE is given to children between the ages of three and six years based on the Na Noda Mataniciva curriculum guidelines which set out the vision, beliefs, and values underpinning the conduct of early childhood education in the country, and presents a framework to guide teachers and stakeholders in developing effective early childhood programmes. This level of education is not compulsory, but each Fijian child is guaranteed a school place. There is a ratio of one teacher to every fifteen children.presents a framework to guide teachers and stakeholders in developing effective early childhood programmes. This level of education is not compulsory, but each Fijian child is guaranteed a school place. There is a ratio of one teacher to every fifteen children.
- Primary Education
Primary schools are supported by the Free Education Grant (FEG). All Fijian children from 6 to 13 years of age (Year 1 to Year 8) must attend a primary school run by the government or social and religious organisations. Primary education aims to develop all children to their full potential by offering them the essential basic skills, knowledge, and attitudes they will need in society. Children appear for various examinations and assessments after Year 4: Language and Numeracy Assessment (LANA) in Year 5 and 7; Fiji Year 6 Examination (FY6E), Fiji Year 7 Final Examination (FY7FE), and Fiji Year 8 Examination (FY8E) after which they gain entrance to secondary schools.
- Secondary Education
Like primary schools, secondary schools are also supported by the Free Education Grant (FEG). Secondary education is from 14 to 18 years of age (Year 9 to Year 13). Still, it is only compulsory until 17 years of age (Year 9 to Year 12). Students usually undergo a five-year programme enabling them to be enterprising, creative, productive, and law-abiding citizens and preparing them to enter higher education.
During the first two years (Year 9 – 10), students can develop essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a broad range of subjects of their choice to take the Fiji Year 9 Final Examination (FY9FE) and Fiji Year 10 Examination FY10E.
In the following two years (Year 11 – 12), based on ability, interest, and aptitude, students are guided by teachers to choose subjects for possible career pathways and prepare to take the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE).
Students continue to study in their chosen fields in the final year (Year 13) to prepare for the Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination (FY13CE), which is recognised as a complete and credible qualification and accepted for entry into universities.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education in Fiji comprises public, private, and regionally-owned universities and other non-university higher education providers. It plays a crucial role in providing learners with the skills that the 21st-century workforce requires, delivers world-class research and development, and has substantial international connections.
TVET is given particular attention and is acknowledged as a cornerstone of educational reform and supporting sustainable development. The TVET sector provides high-quality, internationally recognised training and is based on strong partnerships between governments, TVET institutions, and industry bodies. In the 2021-2022 budget, the Government has allocated approximately $1.5 million as tuition grants for students wishing to pursue studies in the TVET sector.
TVET and higher education institutions are regulated by the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) and guided by the Fiji National Qualifications Framework (FQF). These institutions are required by law to be recognised by and be registered with the FHEC if they are conferring awards which range from certificates to degrees. This translates to the ten levels on the FQF. The FHEC is mandated to regulate, develop, and promote the TVET and higher education sector in accordance with its eleven mandated functions. This includes regulating TVET and higher education and institutions’ operations and the programmes they offer to ensure the delivery of high-quality programmes and their resulting qualifications.
Universities in Fiji deliver degree, postgraduate and doctoral qualifications. Most are well-recognized internationally, have strong international connections, and collaborate with universities in other countries on a range of research and teaching programmes.
TVET can be undertaken in schools, industry, vocational schools, and all TVET providers (including technical training institutes). Delivery modes include full-time, part-time, online and distance education, apprenticeships, and traineeships. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, Fiji National University, and the FHEC developed the TVET Remote Delivery in a Crisis: A Guideline for Fiji TVET providers to deliver TVET if a crisis occurs. In consultation with crucial TVET stakeholders and Fijian government ministries, it was formulated primarily on the delivery experiences of Fiji TVET providers during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and including a rapid literature review of relevant experiences from other developing countries.
The FHEC provides extensive information on higher education.
