Labour Slams FHEC Over Double Standards in Tertiary Oversight

The Fiji Labour Party has accused the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) of applying double standards in its oversight of qualifications, claiming the regulator is unfairly targeting foreign institutions while failing to properly police local providers.

Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said FHEC Director Dr. Eci Naisele’s comments about tougher checks on qualifications from Asia and Africa “sound hollow” when the Commission has overlooked serious issues with local training institutions.

“The Commission must not discriminate. Qualifications from all foreign and local institutions should be assessed in the same way,” Chaudhry said.

He cited Pacific Polytech as a prime example, saying the institution was allowed to operate illegally until August 2025 without full registration, and has since received millions of dollars in government grants despite serious questions about its operations.

The Fiji Labour Party leader stated that they welcomed recent remarks by FHEC chairman Steve Chand that the Commission will now scrutinise local TVET institutions to ensure they deliver real results.

“Public money must not be wasted on substandard training. Students need qualifications that lead to meaningful jobs,” Chaudhry stressed.