Fiji’s Teachers Drowning in Duties, Losing Precious Time

As Fiji’s education sector undergoes reforms, a critical and often overlooked issue is intensifying: the overwhelming workload of teachers, which is directly impacting their effectiveness and well-being.

This is the concern raised by Opposition Member Alvick Maharaj, who says teachers are being increasingly burdened with administrative work, curriculum demands and additional programs that are eroding their time, energy and mental health.

“Far from simply teaching, educators are now buried in paperwork, compliance documentation, and excessive class preparation,” he said. “Teachers are being forced to take work home, sacrificing their personal time and family life.”

Maharaj said new curriculum requirements, expectations for differentiated instruction, and the expansion of responsibilities—such as physical education, career classes, and remedial work—have all contributed to teacher fatigue. He added that many are also being asked to play the role of counsellors and behaviour managers, with little support or training.

A major concern he highlighted is the lack of teaching contribution from school administrators.

“I wonder why, in most schools, administrators are not taking any classes,” he said. “While it’s understood in the case of heads of schools, vice principals and assistant principals should at least have 10 teaching periods per week to ease the workload of teachers.”

Maharaj said this overburdening is leading to chronic fatigue, stress, and burnout, which ultimately affects student learning. He called on the Ministry of Education to take urgent steps to ease the pressure on teachers.

“For the Education Act reform and the Denarau Declaration (2024–2033) to succeed, the government must mandate dedicated preparation time, reduce non-core administrative tasks, and provide either additional staff or reassign duties such as career guidance to school administrators,” he said.

“Prioritising the well-being of teachers is not just about fairness—it is essential for quality education in Fiji.”