CAPTION: Minister Luveni and PS Govind Sami at the launch of their Ministry’s ACP today.
1. GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON PARTNERSHIP FOR WELFARE ASSISTANCE – The need for strengthened partnership and teamwork is the commitment by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation to achieve goals of the 2013 Annual Corporate Plan.
2. Ratu Inoke to travel to MSG capitals – Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola is currently touring the capital cities of Melanesian Spearhead Group member countries.
3. FULL WORK PROGRAM FOR CIVIL SERVICE – Ministries, Departments and Agencies are fully prepared for implementation of the respective work programmes with majority of them having finalized their Annual Corporate Plans (ACPs) and Business Plans.
4. EDUCATION MINISTRY DECISION STANDS – The Independent Committee that was commissioned by the Acting Minister of Education, Mr Viliame Naupoto to look into the circumstance leading to the awarding of zero marks for Biology to 11 students from Labasa Sangam SKM College has completed its investigation and has submitted its findings to the Acting Minister.
1 GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON PARTNERSHIP FOR WELFARE ASSISTANCE
The need for strengthened partnership and teamwork is the commitment by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation to achieve goals of set out in its 2013 Annual Corporate Plan.
Minister Dr Luveni while launching the Annual Corporate Plan 2013 emphasised the contents to staff and partners who work closely with the Ministry to ensure that government achieves its goals and work schedule.
“The Annual Corporate Plan 2013 outlines the strategic plans and policies that have been designed to primarily complement vision of “Building a Better Fiji for All,” by “Reducing Poverty to a Negligible Level” and “Empowering the Disadvantaged and Women,” Dr. Luveni said.
Dr Luveni highlighted the 4 main goals of the Ministry as outlined in the Annual Corporate Plan 2013 as follows:
- Reduce Poverty to a Negligible Level by 2015 and the Ministry has been allocated a budget of $22.6 million for Poverty Benefit Scheme, target is 13,000 households to be assisted with maximum monthly allowance of $150 inclusive of the $30 food voucher
- “Advance Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women” and this would be achieved through the implementation of the Women’s Plan of Action (2010 to 2019) and also based on our commitment to the implementation of CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
- To strengthen Child Protection Services through various mechanisms, for example through protocols on adoption and foster care, audit of residential homes for minimum standards compliance to name few.
- To inculcate an inclusive and supportive environment for senior citizens and disabled persons. This year a National Council for Older Persons will be established to implement the framework of Fiji’s Policy for senior Citizens.
“These are the 4 major goals which will promote the Pillar 1 of the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, “Ensuring Sustainable Democracy and Good and Just Governance.
“The Ministry will adhere to strict monitoring and evaluation procedures developed by the Prime Minister’s office and based on our Annual Corporate Plan to ensure that these targets and tangible results are achieved,” Dr. Luveni said.
Dr Jiko Luveni expressed her gratitude to staff of all divisions and partners who has rendered support contributing to the outputs for last year, 2012.
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2 Ratu Inoke to travel to MSG capitals
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola is currently touring the capital cities of Melanesian Spearhead Group member countries.
Minister Kubuabola who is also the MSG chair for the Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is currently in Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), and will also travel to Dili (Timor Leste), Honiara (Solomon Islands), and Port Vila (Vanuatu).
His visit also commemorates the 25 years of the establishment of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
Ratu Inoke is scheduled to brief the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O’Neil and Vanuatu’s Sato Kilman on the latest developments in Fiji’s progress towards parliamentary democracy.
The Minister is expected to meet with his counterparts in the various capitals to discuss issues pertaining to bilateral and regional cooperation in the areas of mutual interest including interalia issues of enhancing further diplomatic relations, international cooperation, trade and strengthening of regional coordination and institutions.
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3 FULL WORK PROGRAM FOR CIVIL SERVICE
Ministries, Departments and Agencies are fully prepared for the implementation of the respective work programmes with majority of them having finalized their Annual Corporate Plans (ACPs) and Business Plans.
Public Service Commission permanent secretary Parmesh Chand said that activities have been properly identified and planned for implementation. There is also corresponding budget for each of the planned activities.
“These activities are linked to the government’s strategic direction such as the People’s Charter and Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development as overseen by the Prime Minister’s Office; deliverables required by PSC; Ministry of Finance requirements; and, Capital Projects as defined by the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics”.
“With the compilation of the ACPs, the annual targets for the respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been identified and this in turn is translated to the specific outputs and responsibilities of individual officers.”
Mr Chand said that central agencies involving the Prime Minister’s Office, PSC, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics and line Ministries will consistently monitor and evaluate the performance of respective Ministries and Departments as they strive to deliver services to their respective stakeholders and ordinary members of the public.
“We are all ready for implementation of a full program of work activities in line with the 2013 Budget Announcement and as contained in respective ACPs.”
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4 EDUCATION MINISTRY DECISION STANDS
The Independent Committee that was commissioned by the Acting Minister of Education, Mr Viliame Naupoto to look into the circumstance leading to the awarding of zero marks for Biology to 11 students from Labasa Sangam SKM College has completed its investigation and has submitted its findings to the Acting Minister.
The independent committee was chaired by the Ministry of Youth and Sports permanent secretary Mr Joseva Sania and included staff from the Public Service Commission, National Planning and Youth and Sports. The Committee after examining the evidence collected by the Ministry of Education Examination Unit and after interviewing relevant staff both in the Examination Unit and in Labasa concluded that there was malpractice during the Biology paper examination and that the zero mark awarded by the Permanent Secretary stands.
“I have perused the report and I concur with the Committees findings. I have informed the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Principal of Labasa Sangam SKM College on the outcome of the investigation and I have requested the Principal to inform the students and their parents accordingly,” remarked Minister Naupoto.
MINFO