1. MINISTER CALLS FOR FAMILY SUPPORT TO ADDRESS MENTAL ILLNESS – Government has today called on families not to neglect family members who are suffering from mental challenges or disabilities.
2. FIJI HEAD TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (FHTA) SUPPORTS EDUCATION REFORMS – “The Educational reform is here to stay and will be reinforced through its stakeholders’’.
3. WORLD RUGBY’S GENERAL MANAGER FOR ASIA & OCEANIA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO MINISTER TUITUBOU Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou today met with World Rugby’s General Manager for Asia & Oceania, Mr William Glenwright at the Ministry’s headquarters in Suva.
1. MINISTER CALLS FOR FAMILY SUPPORT TO ADDRESS MENTAL ILLNESS
Government has today called on families not to neglect family members who are suffering from mental challenges or disabilities.
Today the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Rosy Akbar visited the St Giles Clinic in Suva where she stressed that the support from families in looking after family members who suffer from mental disabilities is severely lacking in Fiji.
“This is a growing social problem that we need to tackle and I believe that the demand for (mental assistance) services are increasing. Many are not accepted back into their families – especially their immediate families members”, the Minister said.
She said that during her Ministry’s beggar profiling exercises, they have come across cases where beggars who were treated for mental illness were not accepted by their families to return home.
“It saddens everyone to see these Fijians sleeping on our streets and I know that we have the time and we have the willpower to help them. Most them fall within the senior citizens group so we can help them”, the Minister said.
The Minister visited the hospital to receive new items donated by the St Giles’ Board of Governors. As she paid tribute to their work and dedication, she highlighted that addressing mental illness can only be achieved if there is a collective commitment from families and the community.
“Thank you for the services that you provide and the staff for your generosity in ensuring that collectively we make life much better for the patients. We look forward to more people coming forward to assist you”.
The various items donated by the Board included cooking items, a new TV set and sporting equipment.
2 FIJI HEAD TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (FHTA) SUPPORTS EDUCATION REFORMS
“The Educational reform is here to stay and will be reinforced through its stakeholders’’.
The President of the Fiji Head Teachers Association Mr Ramesh Raman made this remark during the meeting with Hon Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Dr Mahendra Reddy at Senikau House today. Mr Raman reaffirms the associations’ support and assured Hon Dr Reddy that they will closely work together towards the successful implementation of educational reforms.
The Hon Minister was applauded for his efforts to provide the opportunity to the graduates to teach who had no jobs since year 2009 and at the same time accommodating more than 650 new teachers through his initiative and annual budget.
The Hon Minister has also given his support and blessings to the forth coming Fiji Head Teachers conference to be held on the Island of Kadavu at Tavuki from 13th to 14th August, 2015.
FHTA is once again extremely thankful to the Hon Minister for foresightedness and bringing their dreams to reality of every parent for their child to receive the best quality education through these reforms.
Furthermore the Fiji Head Teachers Executive is very delighted in the manner how the Hon Minister has accommodated and listened patiently to the views expressed by the association.
On the same note FHTA records its appreciation to the Hon Prime Minister Mr Voreqe Bainimarama for having faith in his Ministers in delivering the best services to every Fijian.
FTHA Kadavu President Mr Viliame Buatavatava expressed his delight that the conference of such high profile will be held for the first time on their Island. He further added that the Vanua of Kadavu is looking forward to host the much-awaited conference.
3 WORLD RUGBY’S GENERAL MANAGER FOR ASIA & OCEANIA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO MINISTER TUITUBOU
Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou today met with World Rugby’s General Manager for Asia & Oceania, Mr William Glenwright at the Ministry’s headquarters in Suva.
Mr Glenwright who is in the country to meet and discuss avenues to further develop the sport of rugby with the Fiji Rugby Union used the opportunity to meet with Minister Tuitubou to reaffirm World Rugby’s committed stance on developing the Fijian brand of rugby.
“World Rugby is fully committed to developing rugby here in Fiji and we will continue to provide the same level of commitment we have shown throughout the years.
Minister Tuitubou thanked Mr Glenwright on World Rugby’s continued support shown throughout the years in developing rugby in the country. He stated that the Ministry would continue to support the development of sports in the country, particularly the sport of rugby.
Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Mr Josefa Sania also thanked Mr Glenwright for the visit and reiterated that the ministry would work with World Rugby to further boost the country’s international rugby standings.
PRESS RELEASE