Every profession that we have now all started from the guidance of a teacher within a classroom, and no matter where we reach in life, be­hind our success is a teacher.

That was the encouraging message by Australia National Tertiary Educa­tion Union general secretary, Grahame McCulloch at the Fiji Teachers Union annual general meeting at Swami Vive­kananda College in Malolo, Nadi, yester­day.

Mr McCulloch said a teacher’s role was to mould children in schools to become better versions of themselves.

The theme on the meeting is ‘Rethink­ing and Revisiting Education for Sus­tainable Development’.

FTU national president Muniappa Goundar encouraged members to hold on to their belief of working together as a team when facing difficult times.

“Our attendance today shows our strength as a union and in unity we shall participate. It is through solidarity that drives us executives to forge ahead during challenging times.

“The Fiji Teachers Union will contin­ue to fight for the justice and rights of our teachers. We will continue to fight against the injustice and as executives we will go to any length to safe guard the union,” he added.

Teachers, Mr Goundar added, have an important role in our nation and their responsibility is to build the lives of the future leaders of Fiji.

More than 5000 practising primary and high school teachers are registered members of the Fiji Teachers Union.

This was highlighted by Mr Goundar while speaking at the union’s 88th AGM.

The National Federation Party MPs, Biman Prasad and Prem Singh were also spotted in the meeting including former Fiji Labour Party MP, Krishna Dutt.

“Our more than 5000 union members continue to make a strong contribution in Fiji’s education sector and the value of a teacher’s work is very important,” Mr Goundar said.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback: arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj