Fiji’s Ninth Development Plan 1986-1990: Policies, Strategies and Programmes for National Development

Date:    

Source:    Fiji’s Ninth Development Plan 1986-1990: Policies, Strategies and Programmes for National Development. Suva. Central Planning Office, 1985

Subject:     Women, health, education, youth

Document:    Excerpts taken from the Sections on `Women in Development’, `Education’, `Youth’ and `Health’ 

There is a continuing need to highlight the importance of women’s role in Fiji. Women play a major and important role not only as mothers and home-makers, but also in the sphere of economic activity, especially in rural areas. Many developmental programmes, for example, on family planning, combating malnutrition or boosting subsistence activities will fail unless women are fully involved. Government, therefore, recognizes the need to provide greater encouragement to fully develop and utilize women’s non-domestic capabilities and potentials.

During DP9, greater efforts will be made to ensure that women are fully integrated into the national development process, as equal partners with men. Women’s development needs are not ant different from those of their male counterparts in the sense that they too need training, information, technical support, credit and other facilities.

During DP9, the major objectives for improving the general welfare of women are to:

In addition to their participation in wage and salaried employment, women make important contributions to various socio-economic activities. These include:

Obtaining full data on the contribution of women through appropriate indicators is necessary so as to formulate appropriate policies and programmes. Further, collection of data on women’s present status will need to be accurately recorded so as to eradicate persisting as well as biased attitudes about women’s role, capabilities and contribution to the economy. Such data would also assist in the formulation of appropriate policies and strategies for enhancing the role of women in development.

There is a continuing need to review laws which discriminate against women or do not adequately support their needs. Futhermore, greater participation by women in decision and policy-making bodies at the national level needs to be encouraged.

During DP9, programmes and projects for women’s development will be integrated into relevant sectors and will be guided by the following:

The overall performance of the education sector during DP8 was satisfactory. The core curriculum has been revised in most subjects up to Form IV level, and the syllabus for Fifth Form science subjects were also extensively revised. Practical education was further extended at the primary level.

The tuition fee-free scheme which was introduced in Class 1 in 1973 was further extended to Class 8 in 1982. This, however, does not apply to Forms I and II. Since parents still prefer their children to sit the Secondary School Entrance Examination, the 6-year Secondary programme has not materialized as planned. This resulted in an increase in the number of candidates taking the Secondary School Entrance Examination.

A high rate of enrolment of 6-11 year olds has been maintained. However, some wastage has occurred with the 12-16 year age group, as shown in Table 10.1.

In line with Government’s objective of providing "ten years of education for every child who wants it", several secondary schools were expanded. Further, in order to ease rural transportation and accommodation problems, punts were supplied and boarding facilities expanded.

Technical and vocational education was given high priority during the DP8 period. Although attempts made by Government strengthened technical/vocational education, educating patents and pupils to appreciate the advantages of practical skills proved difficult. Government provides technical and vocational courses throughout the country, mainly through the two technical centres and privately run institutions.

During DP8, special efforts were made by Government to uplift the standard of Fijian and rural education. However, there is scope for further improvement. These efforts need a similar concerted response from parents and students.

During DP8, the teacher/pupil ratio established at around 1:28. There was also a gradual improvement in the number of trained teachers in primary schools, as shown in Table 10.2. Nevertheless, difficulties were encountered by some rural schools which, due to their small size, continued to have multiple class teachings.

Table 10.2: Trained/Untrained Primary Teachers 1980-84

While considerable progress has been made in all facets of education, there are still a number of issues which need to be carefully considered. During DP8, the downturn in the economy meant that a large number of school leavers and graduates remained unemployed. The drop-out rate remains significant and will need to be checked if Government objective of providing basic education for all is to be achieved. Despite attempts to contain expenditure, the education budget continues to absorb the largest portion of the Government’s financial resources. A very significant share, nearly 85%, is allocated for personal emoluments.

The main objectives for the education sector during DP9 will be to:

A major concern of Government policy in DP9 would be to provide educational facilities to cope with the expected increase in school enrolment. Recent projections suggest that by 1990, Class 1 to 6 enrolment will be almost 20,000 greater. In line with these projections Government policy will be to train more primary school teachers.

During DP9, the development of research and dissemination of information will be strengthened to ensure accurate manpower planning and determination of educational needs. Towards these goals, the Development Section of the Ministry will be strengthened.

"Twelve years of education for every child who so desires" will be attempted during DP9. This would guarantee the availability of primary and secondary education for every child in the country. The policy would further equalise access to economic opportunities for all.

As tertiary and technical education is seen to have a direct relationship with Fiji’s middle level manpower requirements, consideration will be given to further improving the quality/type of courses offered. Computer education will play an important role in the next five years and during this period it will be further strengthened in secondary and junior secondary schools. Suitable computer education programmes will also be introduced in selected primary school. Further, attention will be directed to the study of the arts and music. The teaching of vernacular languages will be strengthened. During DP8, the vernacular languages taught as examinable subjects were Fijian, Hindi and Urdu. During DP9, similar status will be attempted for Tamil, Telegu, Arabic and Chinese. Given the need to cope with rapid social change, teenage secondary school students will be exposed to programmes dealing with family life values. Where possible, education programmes will be assisted by the development and dissemination of audio-visual teaching material.

This programme aims to: reappraise and revise the existing courses; review effectiveness of school examinations; and broaden the school curriculum through introduction of more practical subjects. The role of examinations will be diagnostic, that is, designed to enhance the skills of students.

Special efforts will be made in schools to develop and strengthen practical subjects like crafts, commerce and agriculture. The Forms 5, 6 and 7 curricula would also be diversified through the introduction of a wide range of subject options of vocational technical and agricultural nature which would thus reduce its economic bias. The grading system will be re-introduced in the Fiji Junior Examination and the localisation of secondary school examinations will be completed by the mid-DP9 period. From 1989, Fiji will have its own Form 6 examination call the Fiji School Leaving Certificate.

Primary school enrolment is expected to substantially increase during DP9 and teachers will be trained to meet the needs. With a policy of enabling greater access to secondary education and a broadening of subject choice, the need for specialist teachers will arise.

For DP9, Government will make every attempt to promote pre-school education. Government will continue to retain its policy of encouragement of private organisations in the management of pre-schools. To facilitate this development, Government will provide:

Government will continue to encourage private organisations in expanding special education for physically and mentally handicapped children by:

Government will improve the quality and type of courses offered at the Fiji Institute of Technology and the Ba Technical Centre. Courses offered will continuously be reviewed and appraised to meet appropriate skill demands of the country. The School of Food and Fashion will continue to provide training in all aspects of hotel management for the tourist industry. Construction of a hostel for the Ba Technical Centre and the development of Montfort Boys Town would be given priority. Consideration will also be given to the expansion of the School of Maritime Studies. Multicraft studies would be expanded with Government assistance to provide training to school leavers.

With an expected rise in school rolls, the intake at Lautoka Teachers’ College will have to be increased. This can be done by enrolling day students at the College. While USP will continue to provide graduates for the various subject areas in which secondary school teachers will be needed, the training component will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. Intake into the teaching service will be through the Volunteer Community Service Scheme and will be guided by a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:30-35 at the primary level and 1:20 at the secondary level. Special efforts will be made to ensure that rural schools are adequately staffed with qualified and experienced teachers.

Career services and information will be provided with emphasis on:

The aim of the Fiji Arts Council will continue to be the preservation, appreciation and the practice of arts in Fiji. During the DP9 period, greater efforts will be made to co-ordinate local cultural activities and to encourage the development of traditional as well as contemporary, expressive and visual arts. While the Council will continue to support the activities of established institutions involved in arts, efforts will also be made to develop local talent of the community on the aesthetic as well as the economic value of arts. Emphasis will also be given to develop manpower needs and training of local personnel. During DP9, priority will be given to improving instructors’ requirements and construction of a new building for the Fiji Arts Council.

The Fiji Museum is an invaluable cultural resource centre. During DP9, emphasis will be directed towards improving existing facilities and providing more professional staff for research and public education.

Library services will be extended, including in the Nothern Division during DP9. Efforts will also be made to develop community library services in islands and rural areas. Government will provide Mobile Library services for both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and continue with the promotion of school and public libraries.

Particular emphasis will be given to Fijian Education, and to students in rural areas. As part of this policy, Government will consolidate existing Junior Secondary Schools and ensure that these schools are well equipped and fully staffed with trained teachers. Emphasis will also be given to the development of rural schools, and in particular, those in Vunisea and Bucalevu which are to be developed into fully fledged high schools with provision of staff quarters, boarding and teaching facilities.

Government Support Services

The grants given to non-government schools will continue to be provided in DP9. Students and parents will also continue to receive assistance through the fee-free scheme and remission of fees. Government will continue its support of the University of the South Pacific, on the basis of the funding formula agreed upon by Fiji and other regional governments, for the financing of the University on the basis of its needs.

Table 10:3 shows the indicative annual capital programme costs over the DP9 period.

Youths (15-24 years old) constitute 20.5% of the total population of Fiji. They are a valuable resource, and considerable efforts need to be made to realise their full potential.

The current sluggish economic climate has adversely affected major industries and the prospects of finding gainful employment for the majority of our youths is difficult. According to the 1982 Employment and Unemployment Survey (EUS), out of a total labour force of 207,150, there were 13,270 people who were unemployed, of which 70% were youths.

The two basic objectives of Government’s formal youth schemes are: to improve young peoples’ chances of finding some form of productive employment; and to provide them with conditions for a constructive and satisfying social existence. Despite efforts to assist this group in attaining their needs and aspirations, much still remains to be done. During DP8, Government embarked upon urban and rural youth programmes to alleviate the problems of youth unemployment.

Any measures undertaken to tackle the youth problem should not perpetuate dependency on the country’s scarce resources. It is imperative, therefore, that any future policy measures relating to youth schemes should best be addressed in a manner which make youth schemes relatively small, self-financing and integrated into the surrounding community. Government will consider setting up a compulsory national service scheme so as to instil greater discipline and self-reliance in youths.

The overall objectives for Youth development during DP9 will be to:

• promote cultural, educational and recreational programmes for youths in urban and rural areas;

• create opportunities for out-of-school youths for productive employment and community work;

• provide vocational skill and leadership training; and

• co-operate with non-governmental organisations to assist in the development of youth.

Youth clubs, both in urban and rural areas, will be encouraged to participate in agricultural and other economic projects. Government will continue to assist voluntary and youth organisations through the provision of manpower, finance and other facilities.

This strategy aims to encourage school leavers to join "youth brigades". These "youth brigades" will be established by independent organisations, such as churches and school committees. They would be engaged in activities ranging from community service, assisting individual families, from creative or athletic pursuits to directly economic projects. These schemes will contribute to the easing of youth unemployment.

The aim is to explore the possibility of half time/half pay probationary appointments in all areas of employment. Such appointments will carry half salaries and appointees would serve a period of up to three years at the end of which, they will be chosen for full time work. However, the success of this programme will largely depend on the good will of major employment agencies, including large corporations.

This programme will focus on the following:

The aim is to have four training camps, one in each division (including the Sigatoka Youth Camp). Two of the camps will be geared towards longer term (2 year) training of individuals in basic mechanical or craft skills, while the other two would mount short training courses, catering for volunteer brigades. The operations of the Monfort Boys Town will be reviewed with a view to strengthening its capacity and the establishment of another similar institution.

The objective is to develop the potential of early school leavers for self-employment in rural areas, and to obtain wage employment in urban areas. Government will assist school leavers to improve their standard of living through basic skill training in agriculture, building crafts, light engineering, home crafts and cottage industries.

Table 10.4 shows the indicative capital programme for DP9.

The overall performance in Health Services since Independence has been satisfactory. The general acceptance of primary health care as a strategy for achieving the global goal of "Health for All by the Year 2000" has been encouraging. There has been good control over major communicable diseases and the life expectancy rate of 68 years is comparable to those in more developed countries.

During DP8, Government concentrated its efforts in three main areas: strengthening of preventive services through primary health care; improvement in hospital services, and the training of medical personnel relevant to the needs of the nation.

The major capital works completed during DP8 were the conversion of the Anderson Maternity Unit at C.W.M. Hospital into booth a children’s hospital and a dental unit, and construction and upgrading of nursing stations and health centres. By the end of DP8 there were 163 medical centres in Fiji: comprising 7 urban hospitals, 18 sub-divisional and area hospitals beds. This was primarily due to the meagre increase in hospital bed numbers.

The rising trend in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and stroke continues to pose serious problems like pre-mature death, prolonged suffering and severe strains on medical resources.

Influenza remained the main notifiable disease and peaked at 92,000 reported cases in 1981 (see Table 10.5). A worrisome trend has been the steady increase in the notification of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), especially among the younger age group. Table 10.5 shows the incidence of the six major notifiable diseases for the period 1980-84.

During DP8, the Diploma in Surgery and Medicine Programme at the Fiji School of Medicine was upgraded to MBBS level. The first batch of students began the new course in 1982.

In 1980, there were 310 doctors and medical assistants working both in the private and public sector. The doctor to population ratio of 1:2062 in 1980 improved to 1:1553 by 1984. While there was about a two-fold increase in dental personnel, there was only a moderate increase in the number of registered nursing staff. Table 10.6 shows the number of medical personnel between 1976 and 1984.

The stagnant national family planning protection rates (FPPR) since 1978, as shown in Table 10.7, is a matter of concern. This may have contributed towards the failure of reducing the crude birth rate (CBR) to the targeted 25 per thousand by 1985. If this high birth rate continues it would not only lower the standard of living in Fiji but will also affect costs of health services, since obstetric and paediatric care constitute a large part of total demand for health services. It is also significant to note that the family planning protection rates are highest amongst Indians but low for other races. However, the need to increase the family planning protection rate is important for all races, if the overall national population growth is to be controlled.

A major concern is the rising incidence of diabetes which is one of the major causes of heart disease, kidney trouble, infections/gangrene and blindness. A large number of hospital beds are occupied by diabetics at any one time. The problem is made worse by the fact that many people do not know that they have the disease, and those who have it lack adequate selfcare.

Most of the maternal and child health problems are attributed to: poor weaning practices, poor nutrition of mothers and babies, and other socio-economic factors. Special attention will be given in DP9 to the care of mothers and children so as to combat problems of malnutrition and the prevention of low birth-weight babies.

During DP9, Government, the Health Sector will particularly be directed towards providing effective medical services to low income people and those residing in rural areas. With further improvements to rural health services, it is envisaged that the excessive congestion at out-patients departments of major urban hospitals may be reduced.

During DP9, Government will rationalise its roles as the main provider of health services through increasing involvement of the private sector, and greater participation of community and the voluntary organisations in the delivery of preventive and primary health services. The Ministry of Health will explore the feasibility of setting up a National Health Insurance Scheme, and the establishment of Area Hospital Boards in Fiji.

The major objectives for the Health Sector during DP9 will be to:

This programme will be given top priority during DP9. The aims of this programme are to reduce the birth rate to 25/1,000 live-birth by 1990 and the annual population growth rate to below 1.9%. This will be done through the provision of additional financial and human resources, and an effective public education campaign, involving voluntary organisations. A Committee comprising the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Central Planning Office and representatives of non-government organisations will be established to monitor and assess the family planning programme and advise Government on remedial measures that may be necessary.

During DP9, manpower training will be provided by:

1. complete the re-organisation plan based on the Hardy Report, regarding medical degree courses at USP;

2. shift all para-medical courses into a separate School of Health Science;

3. rationalise the level of manpower; and

4. continually assess the curriculum of the various medical and para-medical courses

1. complete construction of the new Nursing School and centralise all teaching/training facilities;
2. revise the curriculum; and
3. vigorously pursue post-basic training of all categories of nurses.

This programme will focus on extension and replacement of hospitals, health centres and nursing stations. In this regard, Government will give priority to hospitals/medical centres which require major renovations, or replacements. Based on the Entwistle Report, a phased re-development of the C.W.M. Hospital will be considered. Adequate beds and increased out-patient facilities will be provided in the major hospitals. In addition some nursing stations will be upgraded to health centres, while some health centres will be extended to accommodate at least four holding beds. Emphasis will be given to the provision of more nurses and other technical manpower in rural areas and the outer islands to complement improved medical infrastructure.