Fiji National University’s (FNU) team conducting the pilot Primary School Awareness Programme at Qawa Primary School in Labasa.

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) primary school pilot project is ensuring students receive crucial career information to pave pathways for successful careers.

Headteacher of the community-based Labasa’s Qawa Primary School Rajnesh Swamy.

Rajnesh Swamy, who is the Headteacher of the community-based Qawa Primary School in Labasa, said educators play a key role in promoting career pathways for young children.

“FNU’s Primary School Awareness Programme was really an eye-opener for the children. This session brought FNU right to our doorstep and it was a wonderful opportunity for the students,” Swamy said.

“This session informed them about the different careers, and as teachers and educators, we need to help the children be informed that there are many more job opportunities, apart from just becoming teachers, doctors or nurses.”

“This programme allowed the students to become aware of the many other fields that they can excel in, and this information needs to be imparted to them at an early age. Thank you, FNU, for making this happen today!”

Being a former student of Qawa Primary School himself, Swamy is proud to have fulfilled his dream of becoming a teacher and having the opportunity to serve as the Headteacher at the same school.

“Choosing a career at this age is ideal, and this is an opportune time to carry out these awareness sessions. For these same reasons, we have a Ministry of Education-trained Careers Teacher at our school who conducts such classes for our children,” he said.

“I am certain that this FNU programme has left an impact on the children. They will surely go home and inform their parents, and when the tie will come to decide on their career, this session today will play a key role.”

Sovi Nono, a Year 7 teacher at St John Bosco Primary School in Suva, said FNU’s awareness campaign will help students make informed decisions about their careers.

Sovi Nono, a Year 7 teacher at St John Bosco Primary School in Suva.

“I have been teaching for the past 12 years and I am grateful to FNU for bringing this programme to primary school students. I wanted my students to attend this programme, and I believe this programme is a blessing as this was not available to us back in the day,” the FNU alumna said.

“I hope FNU continues this programme in the future as well. This is preparing the students to be successful and make the right decisions. We always talk about the different career paths, especially in Social and Basic Sciences.”

Lautoka Andhra Sangam School Year 8 teacher, Nemani Lalabalavu.

Lautoka Andhra Sangam School Year 8 teacher, Nemani Lalabalavu added that he witnessed the interest and engagement of the students during the session.

“I think this awareness, spearheaded by FNU, is a great move. I know it is going to challenge the minds of students in primary schools, which will inspire them to become somebody great in the community,” he said.

FNU’s Primary School Awareness Programme commenced on April 24 and will conclude tomorrow, spreading awareness to 30 pilot primary schools across Fiji.