Students to recite 8-point pledge from mid-Term 2

The eight-point national student’s pledge, the first of its kind, which was to be recited by 210,000 Fijian students from Year 6 to Year 13 in schools daily will be rolled out in the second term of the school calendar.

This has been confirmed by the Minister of Education Dr. Mahendra Reddy today.

“No we just want to roll it out, we have launched it but the rolling out is what is delayed.”

When questioned by Newswire when the Ministry plans to roll out the pledge, the minister said in the middle end of Term 2.

“Probably from the middle end of Term 2.”

The education ministry yesterday launched an eight-point National Student’s Pledge to be recited by 210,000 students from Years 6 to 13 every day.

Update 2.33pm: A government statement just released said the implementation of this pledge is on hold until further notice:

“The implementation of the students and parents pledges that have been reported by several media outlets is being delayed until further notice in the wake of Cyclone Winston. The Ministry’s priority is obviously on the repair and rebuilding process for schools destroyed or damaged in the cyclone. – Dr. Mahendra Reddy.”

Education Minister, Dr Mahendra Reddy said the pledge is aimed to assist students in understanding where they are heading in life.

The pledge has eight promises which these students will say every morning:

• I will respect, love and care for my parents, teachers, friends and elders.
• I will stay healthy through exercise and practice good hygiene.
• I will stay clean through good thoughts, works and deeds.
• I will believe in myself through faith in God.
• I will attend school daily, abide by all school rules and study hard.
• I will say NO to drugs, stay away from bad habits and value my life.
• I will use technology for good and not as a tool to hurt or harm others and.
• I am a proud Fijian and will make Fiji a nation of peace and progress.

The education ministry has started distributing 220,000 copies of the pledge to schools around the country and hopes these pledges will reduce absenteeism, bullying, disruptive behaviour and even sexual activities.

This initiative was launched at Narere Primary School yesterday and is compulsory for all students to recite every morning before their classes start.