A comment on assurance given by Fotu Fisi'iahi to marching students

Dear Editor

"Fotu Fisi'iahi, the Spokesperson for the Public Servants Association responded by telling marchers that their presence today showed their unity and solidarity forever, no matter what lay ahead. .....Fotu also told students from Forms 5, 6 and 7 to rest assured because they had submitted a letter to the South Pacific Board of Education in Fiji requesting them to recognize the current situation in Tonga and to allow more time for all internal assessments to be completed. They are waiting for a response from the board."

See: Marching teachers "disrespectful", says education director [2]



I am currently in Fiji and heard from an officer of the SPBE that he had yet to receive this letter from the Public Sevant Association on behalf of striking students. In this age of Information Technology and email communications I would have thought it of utmost concern and responsibility on behalf of these students that contact was made prior to the proposed teachers and student's march. The contact to SPBE from Tonga that had been received to date was from the Tonga High School principal 2 weeks ago on behalf of their students.

I am concerned that such assurance given by PSA and striking teachers are also met by a 60, 70 and 80 percent - why not 125%, raised commitment and effort to to make sure that form 5, 6 and 7 form students meet all their internal assessment and are well prepared for their external examinations.



sincerely,

Lilieta Takau

lilishalom [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] nz