Schools Face Long Waits for Replacement Teachers

Schools Face Long Waits for Replacement Teachers

"It is very sad where we expect the education system to improve, but, the teacher replacements are not happening on time."

by sampras anand

13 Jun 2025 15:25

Schools Face Long Waits for Replacement Teachers

Labasa Sangam Primary School head teacher, Bal Sanju Reddy during the public consultation in Labasa on June 12, 2025. Photo: Sampras Anand

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Some schools are waiting up to six weeks and more to receive replacement teachers when staff go on leave or are transferred, a delay that is straining both educators and students.

Labasa Sangam Primary School head teacher, Bal Sanju Reddy, raised the issue during a public consultation on the review of the Education Act 1966, held at Shiri Guru Nanak Khalsa College in Labasa yesterday.

Mr Reddy highlighted a recent case at his own school, where two teachers went on maternity leave at the beginning of the last school term. Despite urgent need, it took six weeks for relief teachers to arrive.

“The replacement of the second teacher to relieve the other teacher on maternity leave did not eventuate and we are waiting until now,” he said.

“It is very sad where we expect the education system to improve, but, the teacher replacements are not happening on time.”

He urged Ministry of Education officials to consider expanding the teacher relieving pool to better respond to such absences in a timely manner.

Mr Reddy said pressure continued to mount from community members who demanded timely teacher replacements to ensure the quality of education was maintained.

“Who will answer to the community when teachers are not sent on time?” he reiterated.

He added that the reviewed Education Act 1966 should include provisions to ensure that additional teachers are on standby to fill in for those on leave or transferred.

“What we’re hearing is that some teachers don’t want to come to rural schools. But whether it’s a rural or urban school, we must have relieving teachers ready to get the job done,” Mr Reddy said.

The ministry’s education officer, Metuisela Gauna, acknowledged the concern and said he would submit the proposal for further consideration.

Mr Gauna added that all proposals would be carefully reviewed in collaboration with the Fiji Law Reform Commission.

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