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Minister for Education and SODELPA Party Leader, Hon. Aseri Radrodro, responded in Parliament to comments made by Opposition MP Hon. Premila Kumar regarding the performance of the Fiji Teachers Registration Authority (FTRA), emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to reform, modernization, and accountability within the education sector.

Hon. Kumar, in her address, raised concerns about FTRA’s management, teacher shortages, outdated legislation, and coordination between the Ministry of Education, FTRA, and teacher training institutions. She noted that the authority was struggling to maintain standards and called for stronger enforcement of registration laws and better workforce planning.

In his response, Hon. Radrodro thanked the Parliamentary Committee for reviewing the long-outstanding FTRA Annual Report—one that had not been tabled under the previous administration. He highlighted that the current government had to request FTRA executives to compile and finalize reports, enabling the present management and board to make informed decisions.

“Mr. Speaker, I understand the comments made by Hon. Kumar, but they reflect the lack of planning during their time,” Hon. Radrodro said.
“We are now working to correct those shortcomings, to review, analyze, and monitor the conditions of teachers, subjects, and student achievements in our schools.”

The Minister also pointed to policy decisions made under the former government that negatively impacted the education system, specifically the removal of Mathematics from national examinations and the introduction of Life Mathematics—a subject that, according to the Minister, was not recognized by universities.

“They even removed Mathematics from the examination and replaced it with another form of maths called Life Mathematics,” Hon. Radrodro stated.
“These Life Mathematics qualifications were not even recognized at university level. This shows the lack of planning and understanding of the long-term impact on students and teacher training.”

Hon. Radrodro reaffirmed that the current administration is focused on restoring academic integrity and ensuring that curriculum and teacher standards align with tertiary and employment expectations.

He also outlined key reforms currently underway, including the development of an online registration and renewal system for teachers in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). This system aims to improve efficiency, accessibility, and service delivery across all divisions in Fiji.

“The online platform will not only assist registered teachers to renew their licenses but also support new registrations,” he said.
“This is part of our wider digital transformation efforts within the education sector.”

The Minister further noted that teachers granted Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) were approved only in identified shortage areas, such as STEM subjects and primary education, and are encouraged to complete their degree programs to gain full registration.

He confirmed that the FTRA is implementing strict guidelines to ensure teachers register on time, issuing seven-day notices for compliance under the FTRA Act.

The Minister acknowledged the Committee’s recommendation for greater funding to support FTRA’s outreach and awareness programs, stressing the importance of continued advocacy to strengthen compliance and professional standards across the teaching workforce.

“We are addressing these challenges through collaboration and better resource planning,” Hon. Radrodro concluded.
“The Ministry of Education and FTRA are committed to ensuring that every teacher in Fiji is qualified, registered, and supported to deliver quality education to our children.”