Fiji: The Magic Of Education

Oceanía/Fiji/12 de Agosto de 2016/Autor: Nemani Delaibatiki/Fuente: Fiji Sun

RESUMEN: Cuando se tiene en cuenta que más de 10.000 personas se han graduado con certificados en varias disciplinas, las implicaciones son significativas. Significa que tenemos una fuerza cada vez mayor de personas cualificadas que serán útiles en cualquier desarrollo. FTP (Técnico de Formación Profesional de Educación) para FNU ha aumentado en popularidad debido a que está haciendo una diferencia en la vida de muchas personas. Se elimina el factor de los viajes y el costo que ha sido un obstáculo para acceder a la formación antes sólo estaban disponibles en ciudades y pueblos. Ahora FNU ha tomado el programa a las zonas habitadas. Los beneficios para las personas y el impacto económico son mayores que el costo de FNU y de Gobierno.Cuando las vidas se transforman y las personas están facultadas para obtener puestos de trabajo y participar en las actividades económicas, sabemos que el programa es eficaz. Ahora que tienen los certificados de la responsabilidad está en los graduados para utilizarlos. Eso significa que van a ser proactivo en busca de trabajo o para continuar su educación.

You have to see it to believe it. The facial expressions, the smiles, the hugs, kisses and high fives say it all. The euphoria was electrifying.

In two weeks more than 500 people between 15 years of age and 85 years  went through an extraordinary transformation from no qualification to a certificate holder.

This is the magic of education. It’s empowering impact is life-changing.

A  20-year-old  who dropped out of secondary school has found a new lease of life in a certificate in basic carpentry.

He believes the certificate is a passport to getting a job in the building industry. He is even contemplating further education towards a diploma. Why not, he is still young and he now has a clear pathway and options to go with it.

He was one of the more than 500 students who graduated with certificates in vocational subjects after a two-week training organised by the Fiji National University at Vutia, Rewa. The students came from the Rewa delta and outside of Rewa from as far as Nadroga. The unprecedented interest in this programme is evidence of its success as it snakes its way into rural areas. More graduates are finding jobs, starting their own business, and becoming more productive citizens.

The unmistakable sparkle in the eyes of many graduates on Friday spoke volumes of the sensational feelings going through them.

A father of three young children in his 30s who has hardly had any formal education now has a certificate to repair an outboard engine. He could not contain his joy. He feels proud and empowered knowing that he has a qualification that can provide opportunities for him to earn money for his young family.

And then you have this 85-year-old woman, the oldest graduate, who is an inspiration to everyone. She enrolled because she wanted to learn bread-making skills before she dies. Her message to all: “You are never too old to learn. You keep learning until your time is up on this earth.”

In a rural setting a variety of skills is needed to survive whether it is for home needs or commercial purposes.

After the graduation, Vutia, for example would have no problems finding qualified people to repair outboard engines, carry out fiberglass boat maintenance, bake bread, buns, pies and a wide range of cakes and pastries, fix electricity faults, repair water pipes, build houses, make coffins, do screen printing, sew clothes and a host of other vocational work.

When you consider that more than 10,000 people have graduated with certificates in several disciplines, the implications are significant. It means we have a growing force of skilled people who will be useful in any development.

TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training) for FNU has risen in popularity because it is making a difference in the lives of many people. It eliminates the travel and cost factor which has been a hindrance to accessing training previously available only in cities and towns.

Now FNU has taken the programme to where people live.  The  benefits to the people and the economic impact outweigh the cost to FNU and Government.

When lives are transformed and people are empowered to get jobs and participate in economic activities, we know that the programme is effective.

Now that they have the certificates the onus is on the graduates to use them. That means they will be proactive to look for work or to further their education.

Fuente: http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/08/08/the-magic-of-education/

Fuente de la imagen: http://mapasandmaps.blogspot.com/2014/06/bandera-de-fiyi.html