121 st Fiji Principals Association Conference HAS EDUCATION

121 st Fiji Principals Association Conference “HAS EDUCATION PREPARED OUR STUDENTS TO ADDRESS THE SKILL NEEDS IN THE MARKET? ”

1. 0 DEFINITIONS Sustainability able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. able to be upheld or defended: Employability can be defined as “doing value creating work, getting paid for it and learning at the same time, enhancing the ability to get work in the future Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences BUILDING A BETTER AND A SMARTER FIJI

2. 0 INTRODUCTION Ministry of Education Vision: Quality Education for Change, Peace and Progress Mission: To provide a holistic and empowering education system that enables all children to realize and appreciate fully their inheritance and potential contributing to a peaceful and sustainable National Development. Leadership is the ability to develop a vision that motivates others to move with a passion toward a common goal TEST Vision: Unlocking Quality Technical Education for a skilled and prosperous Fiji. Mission: To provide accessible, marketable, responsive and inclusive TEST curriculum that will enable all children to develop enterprising, employable and lifelong skills for a prosperous and sustainable livelihood

3. 0 BACKGROUND � As educators, we constantly strive to prepare our students for the ‘real world’ that exists around them. We teach them how to read, write, and calculate. Then, of course, there are the less noticeable skills we teach; such as how to work in a team, think critically, and be curious about the things they meet each day. TEST subjects inculcates life long skills. � The Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board (“TSLB”) is a Fijian Government Institution established under the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Act 2014 to administer and implement all the Tertiary Education Scholarship and the Loans Scheme. � Careers Education is learning about earning a living, employment opportunities and leading a productive life. It is learning how various jobs have a different educational requirements, about fulfilling job aspirations and developing positive attitudes to work.

4. 0 RATIONALE 4. 1 Policies Incheon Declaration on “Education 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. 5 -20 Year National development Plan [Transforming FIJI] -Enterprising -ICT -Go Green Concept. 4. 2 The Ministry of Education policy- to improve outcomes for Fijian students, with the aim of developing a capable workforce for Fiji with skills that are relevant in the global marketplace. (2017 -2018 Budget)

RATIONALE continued 4. 3 To align with SDG 4 on ‘Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. ’ 4. 4 In terms of national and international policies, TVET at secondary, post-secondary and tertiary levels should ensure that there is an institutional framework to engage labor market stakeholders, that qualifications and curricula are developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, and that programmes and qualifications are transparent and quality assured. 4. 5 Schools have always prepared students for work, but now need to prepare students to meet higher demands in the workplace.

5. 0 WAY FORWARD 5. 1: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Ø Re-introduction of Internal assessments in subjects is an essential tool to address this. 5. 2: Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence 5. 3: Agility and Adaptability Ø Our students need to be comfortable with the idea of change and be willing to adapt(become resilient) to the changes around them. 5. 4: Initiative and Entrepreneurship Ø Teachers must create careers awareness programs and enterprising opportunities in schools that link their teaching subjects with suitable career pathways giving direction towards suitable Career destinations that match students’ subject combinations, interests and abilities Examples: TEST& Enterprise Week, Science Week, Language and Culture week, Library week, Catering and Decoration Committee, etc

WAY FORWARD…Contd. 5. 5: Effective Oral and Written Communication Ø We need to teach our students how to speak confidently and clearly. Despite advances in technology, these skills never diminish in importance. 5. 6: Accessing and Analyzing Information Ø Accessing information is easy, but accessing good information tends to be more complicated. [Careers Information handbook] 5. 7: Be Future-Focused Ø Schools should focus not just on whether students have learned the material, but where it will take students later. Depending on their level of exit; they must be guided to be future focused [ Career pathways] Ø Thus, ensuring your school has an industry standard specialists rooms as well as standard tools and equipment. Ø You need to empower TEST teachers to utilize their budget allocation for the effective implementation of the TEST curricula in secondary schools.

WAY FORWARD…Contd. 5. 8 Encourage Teamwork Ø This can be taught in school by encouraging teamwork on some projects, tasks and assignments. 5. 9 Preparation for College and Career Ø Schools need to offer courses/subjects that will prepare students for wherever they are going in life -and that means offering both academic and technical subjects that prepare them for both further studies[colleges] and their careers[ skills based].

6. 0 RECOMMENDATIONS RESPONDING TO STUDENT’S LEARNING NEEDS. � A school Leader needs to be aware she/he is responsible for leading the school to respond to the needs of all children � Students welfare is central to your planning and administration, As the Leader, both administrative and instructional, positively adopt to these: a. Exhibit enthusiasm for learning b. Teachers must be coached to help students get ready to learn Careers aspects taught need to be relevant, age appropriate , full of fun and adventurous to ignite and sustain student interest and aspirations throughout their career journey because when we “ teach the child the right way to live: when they grow up, they will not depart from it. c. Arouse students’ interests and curiosity At Year 9 and Year 10, Careers Education is introduced and practically taught in schools. A lot of careers- related activities are required to psyche secondary students up to gain the necessary knowledge , skills and appropriate attributes needed for the job markets or self employment at the lower secondary levels.

RECOMMENDATIONS contd. d. Encourage analytical and critical thinking As students progress from primary to secondary years of schooling, they become more aware of the kinds of work they might do and how certain subjects may be required for them to realize their aspirations e. Challenge and inspire students to learn The achievement of the aims of the Careers Perspective depends entirely on what is taught and how it is taught. f. Use techniques to prepare students for learning activities Students need career guidance along the levels and encouraged to pursue their dream goals with more activity based learning introduced to them , site visits, motivational career talks and challenged to take field trips locally and abroad to broaden their world view earlier with all the opportunities around them. Remember, as Leaders, You are the entry and exit point of every child.

7. 0 CONCLUSION Fiji needs leaders who � are committed to help Fijian children grow and � have a passion to assist students develop their interests and character to reach their dream goals. In so doing, students need to be taught careers information and communication skills that ensures they make well-informed and rational decisions before choosing a meaningful career that will determine their future life style. Career Education therefore is the ultimate learning outcome, that at the end of the schooling year, any student who aspires to find a career, will: � develop the determination to think critically, � apply acquired knowledge and skills , � develop reputable character that are expected in any workforce � and become responsible citizens that productively contribute to peaceful and sustainable national development.