FOCUS ON FIJI Student charged for the alleged murder of Nausori taxi driver
An 18-year-old student has been charged with the alleged murder of a 60-year taxi driver last month. The victim who resided in Korociriciri, Nausori had been reported missing late last month after he failed to return home after work. Police say a day later the victim's vehicle was found abandoned along Qiolevu
Road and his body was discovered a few metres away. Investigators have also recovered items allegedly stolen from the victim. The student has also been charged with one count of robbery and three counts of theft. He will appear in a special court sitting in the Nausori Magistrates Court today.
38 new cases of COVID-19
Fiji has 38 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24 hour period that ended at 8am yesterday. There are now 12,875 active cases. The Health Ministry says
there have been 51,098 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. Fiji has recorded a total of 51,168 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020.
1 new COVID-19 death
The Health Ministry says they have one COVID-19 death to report. The one COVID-19 death was reported from the Central Division. It is an 82-year-old man from Suva. He presented to the CWM Hospital in respiratory distress. Sadly, he died 3 days after admission on Friday. He was not vaccinated.
There has been one death of a COVID-19 positive patient. However, this death has been classified as non-COVID death by their doctors. The doctors have determined that these deaths were caused by a serious preexisting medical condition and not COVID-19. There have now been 632 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji.
FNU to reopen campuses in a controlled manner from Monday Fiji National University says they will be reopening campuses in a controlled and step by step manner. Vice-Chancellor Professor Toby Wilkinson says in Phase 1, starting on Monday 4th October, they will be reopening campuses for fully vaccinated students who need to complete practical assignments that cannot be done online.
FRU’s main priority is the medical and physical screening of all the national teams The medical and physical screening of all the national rugby teams in HighPerformance Unit Centres in Nadi, Sigatoka and Suva will be the main priority of the Fiji Rugby Union when non-contact sports and training is allowed from Monday 4th October. The FRU is one of the seventeen national sporting organisations that have met all requirements put in place by the National Sports Commission. CEO John O’Connor says this will include the screening for the Fijian
teachers all around Fiji to communicate with each other and with the Ministry. This platform will empower teachers to comment on the work of the Ministry for example when we roll out the curriculum they will be able to give their feedback.” Kumar says this is the first
44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, October, 2021
Drua, Men’s 7s and Fijiana 7s team, Fijiana XV, Fiji U20, Fijian Warriors and all their HPU Academy players. He says they have received their approval certificates from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. The 17 sporting organisations include Tennis, Taekwondo, Cricket, Touch Rugby, Netball, Rugby Union, Outrigger (VAA), Suva Marathon, Billiard & Snooker, Lawn Bowls, Golf Fiji, Squash, Karate, Badminton, Archery, Shooting and Football.
We want to ensure there is Pacific ACP states to lobby no disruption to education more demand at COP26 if there is a 3rd wave of COVID-19 – Kumar Minister for Education Premila Kumar says if we do have a third wave of COVID-19 or if there are any natural disasters, they want to ensure there is no disruption to education and students can continue learning through other modes. Kumar says many teachers had to switch to remote teaching very quickly during the pandemic. She says most of them are not well versed with various digital tools but overnight they learned. Kumar adds it is a clear indication that in a critical situation, like the pandemic, teachers do become innovative and they have embarked into self-learning. The Minister says teachers rolled out various teaching programmes where some
Teachers urged to maintain professionalism Education Minister, Premila Kumar has reminded teachers that this forum is for internal use only. Kumar says guidelines have been prepared to help teachers communicate effectively and expects a high level of professionalism. This platform will connect
He says students will be contacted by FNU if they are in this category. Wilkinson adds all other students will continue with online learning and teaching for the time being. He stresses that if students fail to show their FNU identification card and vaccination card, they will be refused entry.
time that teachers will get an opportunity to come together to discuss new innovations in education, classroom practices, and share new ideas. She adds this makes educational practices more effective, interesting, and enjoyable for the students.
were using Google Drive, Google Classroom, Zoom, emails, Viber messages and private groups. Kumar further says their assessment on how the curriculum was rolled out and how teaching and learning took place during COVID-19 shows 52% of secondary school students were learning through online mode and over 70% of secondary school students have some sort of mobile device and most of them are connected to the internet. The Minister adds they want to create a platform next year where students and parents can connect with the Ministry and share their views on the delivery of the curriculum in classrooms or they can even make some suggestions.
The Asian Caribbean and Pacific states are now in the frontline of the climate crisis with minimal support from developed countries to safeguard the region’s sustainable future. Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says climate is a real threat in the region and we must reaffirm the approaches taken and demand this at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland next month. Bainimarama is urging leaders in these different states to be more responsible and is anticipating more dialogue. “We have seen a range
of regional discussions and events that have triggered a very necessary opportunity for our collective selfreflection on the value, benefits, and areas for strengthened improvement our pacific islands forum.” Developing countries are battling economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying climate change issues, and the ongoing geopolitical tassel on the rim of the Pacific region. Bainimarama is optimistic the ACP states will forge their development plans to combat these challenges.
