ED:362- INCLUSIVE QUALITY EDUCATION

ASSIGNMENT 2: Essay

Discussing Fiji's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Anjaleen prasad
S11154958
Discussing Fiji's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Sustainable Devel

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on countries around the world, including Fiji.
As a small island nation heavily reliant on tourism, Fiji faced significant challenges in addressing the
pandemic and its effects on the economy, health, and education. In this essay, we will discuss the
ways in which Fiji addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and relate these discussions to the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of No Poverty, Good Health and Well-being, and Quality Education.

Fiji's response to the COVID-19 pandemic focused on implementing measures to control the spread
of the virus and mitigate its impact on the population. The government implemented strict
lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

According to (Ministry of Education , 2020) the Ministry has requested that parents keep
their children at home as much as possible to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
Miss Akbar emphasized the important role parents and guardians play in teaching children
good values and skills that will last a lifetime. Additionally, she stressed the importance of
teaching children to regularly wash their hands with soap and water.

These measures, although necessary, had a severe impact on the economy, particularly the tourism
sector, which is a significant source of income for many Fijians. In terms of the SDG of No Poverty
(Goal 1), Fiji's response to the pandemic had both positive and negative effect. On one hand, the
economic downturn caused by the pandemic led to an increase in poverty rates, as many Fijians lost
their jobs and livelihoods. However, the government implemented various social protection
measures, such as cash transfers and food assistance programs, to support vulnerable populations and
alleviate the impact of poverty.

According to (Narayan , 2020) The Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum,

announced that the government will provide financial support to FNPF members who have
lost their jobs due to COVID-19. If their general account funds have been exhausted, the
government will step in and provide $220 per fortnight as part of their unemployment benefit.
This assistance will continue until further notice.

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Prior to the pandemic, tourism was a major source of income for the people of Fiji. It provided
employment opportunities for a significant portion of the population, particularly in the hospitality
and service sectors.

According to (OCHA, 2020) the effects of the current situation will affect various aspects of
the economy, such as government revenue, remittances, tourism earnings, trade, production,
domestic demand, employment, poverty, and health. In the tourism industry, for instance,
more than 40,000 employees, a third of whom are women, have experienced job losses and
reduced working hours. These workers make up 35.5% of the total employment in Fiji, which
means that their families and communities will also be affected by these changes.

However, with the closure of borders and the decline in international travel, hotels and resorts have
been forced to shut down or operate at reduced capacity. This has resulted in widespread job losses
and a decrease in income for many Fijians. The loss of income has had a direct impact on the poverty
levels in Fiji. Many families are now struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and
healthcare. The lack of financial resources has also hindered access to education, further
exacerbating the cycle of poverty. Children from low-income families are at a higher risk of
dropping out of school and facing limited opportunities for upward mobility. In response to the
economic challenges brought about by the pandemic, the Fijian government has implemented
various measures to support those affected. This includes providing financial assistance to
individuals and businesses, as well as implementing social protection programs. However, these
measures have not been able to fully address the extent of the problem, and many Fijians continue to
face financial hardship. To achieve SDG Goal 1 - No poverty, it is crucial to address the impact of
COVID-19 on the livelihoods of Fijians. This requires a multi-faceted approach that focuses on not
only providing immediate relief but also creating sustainable solutions for long-term poverty
eradication. This includes investing in sectors that have the potential to generate employment and
income, such as agriculture and renewable energy. COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the
people of Fiji, particularly in terms of their livelihoods and the goal of eradicating poverty. The loss
of jobs and income has resulted in increased poverty levels and limited access to basic necessities.
To address this, it is essential to implement comprehensive measures that provide immediate relief
and create sustainable solutions for long-term poverty eradication. Only through collective efforts
can Fiji overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and work towards achieving SDG Goal 1 -
No poverty.

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Secondly, regarding the SDG of Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3), Fiji's response to the
pandemic was focused on protecting the health of its citizens. The government implemented
widespread testing, contact tracing, and quarantine measures to control the spread of the virus.

According to the (Shaw , 2022), the Pacific Humanitarian Air Service was created to aid the
regional COVID-19 responses by ensuring that necessary medical items, equipment, and
personnel could be transported as needed by partners and Pacific governments. During the
peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Pacific countries implemented lockdown measures
in order to prevent its spread. This, in turn, presented a challenge to the medical response
effort as it required medicine and other supplies.

Additionally, the healthcare system was strengthened to ensure adequate capacity to handle COVID-
19 cases. These efforts helped to minimize the impact of the virus on the population and protect the
well-being of Fijians. Access to healthcare services has become more difficult for people with
disabilities in Fiji. The strain on the healthcare system due to the pandemic has resulted in limited
resources and increased waiting times for medical treatment. This has made it harder for individuals
with disabilities to receive the necessary care and support they require, leading to a decline in their
overall health and well-being. The implementation of social distancing measures and lockdowns has
further isolated people with disabilities. Many individuals rely on support services and caregivers for
their daily activities. However, due to the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus, these
support systems have been disrupted. As a result, people with disabilities are facing increased social
isolation, which can have detrimental effects on their mental health and overall quality of life. The
closure of schools and educational institutions has had a significant impact on the learning and
development of students with disabilities. Remote learning options may not be accessible or suitable
for all individuals, leading to a loss of educational opportunities. This not only affects their academic
progress but also hinders their social and emotional development. In addition, the economic impact
of the pandemic has disproportionately affected people with disabilities in Fiji. Many individuals
with disabilities already face barriers to employment and economic opportunities. The pandemic has
further exacerbated these challenges, with job losses and reduced income opportunities. This has
resulted in increased financial strain and limited access to essential resources and services. To
address these challenges, it is crucial for the Fijian government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize
the needs of people with disabilities in their response to the pandemic. This includes ensuring
equitable access to healthcare services, providing support for caregivers, and implementing inclusive
educational strategies. Efforts should be made to promote inclusive employment opportunities and

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provide financial assistance to individuals with disabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a
significant impact on people with disabilities in Fiji, particularly in relation to SDG Goal 3 - Good
Health and Well-Being. The challenges faced by this vulnerable group have been exacerbated,
including limited access to healthcare, increased social isolation, disrupted education, and economic
hardships. It is essential for the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the needs of
people with disabilities and implement inclusive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the
pandemic on their health and well-being.

Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the SDG of Quality Education (Goal 4)
in Fiji. School closures and the shift to online learning disrupted the education system, particularly
for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to the necessary resources
for remote learning. However, the Minister for Education then Rosy Akbar insisted on keeping the
schools closed for the health, well-being, and safety of the children.

According to (Round, 2020) the Education Minister of Fiji, Rosy Akbar, has stated that
teachers will be responsible for distributing learning materials for homeschooling. She
emphasized the importance of keeping children safe during the pandemic and keeping
schools closed for the time being. Akbar hopes that children can return to school once the
country is free of Covid-19, but only when it is absolutely safe to do so. The well-being and
safety of children is a top priority for the government.

The government implemented measures to support distance learning, such as providing laptops and
internet access to students in need. However, the digital divide remains a challenge, and efforts are
needed to ensure equal access to quality education for all. One of the major challenges faced by the
education system in Fiji during the pandemic is the shift to online learning. With the closure of
physical classrooms, universities have had to quickly adapt to online platforms to ensure continuity
in education. However, this transition has not been without its difficulties. Many students in Fiji do
not have access to reliable internet connections or the necessary devices to participate in online
classes. This has resulted in a significant disparity in access to education, with students from rural
areas or low-income backgrounds being disproportionately affected. The quality of education has
also been compromised due to the limitations of online learning. The lack of face-to-face interaction
between students and teachers has made it challenging to engage in meaningful discussions and
collaborative learning.

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 According to (Gounder & Narayan , 2021) to combat potential learning loss during the
pandemic, it's important to utilize digital platforms for learning resources. Many schools and
teachers have already done so, and the Ministry of Education recently launched a digital hub
for students and parents to access home-use worksheets. This can help address education
inequities for low-achieving students and those without technology access.

Similarly, practical subjects that require hands-on experience, such as laboratory work or field
research, have been severely impacted. This has raised concerns about the overall quality of
education and the ability of students to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. In terms of SDG
Goal 4 - Quality Education, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant setback (Ferguson,
2019 ). The disruption in the education system has hindered progress towards achieving inclusive
and equitable quality education for all. The digital divide and the limitations of online learning have
widened the existing inequalities in access to education, particularly for marginalized groups (Dzebo,
Browne, & Shawoo, 2023). This has the potential to have long-term consequences on the
development and future prospects of these individuals. the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound
impact on the education system in Fiji, including at the University level. The shift to online learning
has presented numerous challenges, including limited access to technology and compromised quality
of education. These challenges have hindered progress towards SDG Goal 4 - Quality Education,
particularly in terms of inclusivity and equity. It is crucial for policymakers and educational
institutions to address these challenges and ensure that all students have equal opportunities to access
quality education, even in times of crisis.

In conclusion, Fiji's response to the COVID-19 pandemic involved a range of measures to control the
spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on the economy, health, and education. While the
pandemic has posed significant challenges, Fiji has made efforts to address the SDGs of No Poverty,
Good Health and Well-being, and Quality Education. However, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure
that the long-term impacts of the pandemic on these goals are effectively addressed and that no one
is left behind in the recovery process.

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