"The [Ministry's Education] officer was asked by the head teacher and the officer gave his advice, but never instructed him as to what he should do.." Reddy heaps blame over Rabuka 'school invitation fiasco', again!

EDUCATION Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy says it was a school committee and vanua decision that stopped Social Democratic Liberal Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka from officiating at the Thomas Baker Memorial School prize-giving ceremony last Thursday.

Mr Rabuka was to speak at the school's prize-giving ceremony last week, but his invite was rescinded and he was informed this was done under Ministry of Education instructions.

In a statement on Friday, the Government said no directive was issued by the Ministry of Education, adding that a ministry civil servant acted unilaterally without ministerial or permanent secretary approval.

Yesterday Dr Reddy said the school head teacher approached the ministry's education officer in the area and asked for advice on whether Mr Rabuka should speak.

"The officer was asked by the head teacher and the officer gave his advice, but never instructed him as to what he should do," he said.

Dr Reddy said the invitation was sent when the school's head teacher requested advice from the education officer.

"The management and members of the vanua met again then made the decision. The invitation was sent first and then the headteacher spoke to the officer and then went back, and then management and members of the vanua met and then decided," he said. Source: Fiji Times, 22 November 2016

http://www.fijileaks.com/home/schooled-in-fijifirst-discrimination-lesson-now-rabuka-claims-education-ministry-instructed-thomas-baker-memorial-school-principal-in-navosa-to-cancel-his-invitation-to-be-chief-guest-at-prize-giving-event