Education Ministry is Not in a Mess, Says SODELPA Youth Leader

The SODELPA Youth movement has come out strongly in support of the Minister for Education, praising what it describes as positive reforms being implemented across Fiji’s education sector while condemning recent criticism from the Fiji Teachers Association’s (FTA) General Secretary.

In a statement issued by SODELPA Youth Vice President Joshua Gaunavinaka, the youth wing said the changes introduced by the Ministry reflect a genuine commitment to strengthening Fiji’s education system and creating a more transparent and effective structure for students, teachers, and communities.

The statement takes direct aim at recent comments suggesting the Ministry of Education is “in a mess,” describing those remarks as misleading and unfair.

“We strongly condemn the recent remarks made by the FTA General Secretary suggesting that the Ministry is ‘in a mess.’ Such statements are not only misleading but also unfairly use the name of an organisation to advance a personal political view. It must be remembered that not all members of that organisation share the same perspective as the FTA GS, and it is inappropriate to generalise or politicise under its banner.”

SODELPA Youth argued that using the name of an organisation to advance what it described as a personal political view was inappropriate, noting that not all members of that organisation necessarily share the same perspective.

The youth movement also called on national leaders and public figures to exercise political maturity and responsibility when engaging in public discourse, stressing that criticism should be constructive, respectful, and focused on solutions rather than undermining ongoing progress.

SODELPA Youth said the Ministry of Education deserves recognition for its efforts and encouraged continued dialogue that uplifts teachers, empowers students, and strengthens the nation.