Author: aniket

The University of Fiji has called for a comprehensive amendment of Fiji’s telecommunications legislation to reflect 21^st century realities in information dissemination and communications. The submissions were made to the Minister for Policing and Communications following extensive legal review of the Telecommunications Act 2008.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem said the UniFiji review presents an important opportunity for Fiji to adopt a forward-looking telecommunications framework that strengthens regulatory governance while protecting the rights and interests of telecommunications users.

“Telecommunications systems are now central to the exercise of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, expression and access to information as guaranteed under the Constitution of Fiji. The legal framework governing telecommunications must therefore evolve alongside technological change to ensure these rights are protected while promoting innovation and economic development,” she said.

The UniFiji submissions highlighted the need to strengthen consumer protection, digital governance, and cybersecurity frameworks in the country to uphold the right of freedom of speech with certain limitations.

The review, conducted by the Office of the Vice Chancellor’s Legal Unit, examines how Fiji’s current telecommunications framework can be updated to reflect the realities of the modern digital

environment and is located in the Fijian Constitution as well as international telecommunication standards that Fiji is signatory to.

Section 17 of the Constitution of Fiji protects freedom of publication under the general right to freedom of speech and expression.

The submissions state that the global telecommunications landscape has undergone significant transformation in the 21^st century due to rapid technological advancement, widespread broadband expansion, and the emergence of internet-based communications platforms. Hence, telecommunications networks now play a fundamental role in enabling social, economic, and democratic participation by allowing individuals to communicate, access information, conduct business, and engage in public discourse as is their constitutional right.

Constitutional section 150 Freedom of Information is also a constitutional safeguard, the submissions say as it binds public offices of the state.

The University’s review says that existing legislation relies too much on traditional telecommunications concepts such as voice calls and SMS transmission and does not sufficiently capture modern digital communication technologies, including internet-based messaging platforms, cloud infrastructure, digital platforms, and emerging technologies such as 5G networks and satellite connectivity.

The review also highlights growing concerns regarding unsolicited promotional messages sent to mobile phone users, raising questions about consumer consent and the use of personal data in telecommunications marketing.

“Consumers should be asked for their consent before such relentless bombardment of commercial messages is sent alongside news and information; automatic consent should not be assumed”, Professor Shameem said.

The University’s recommendations propose strengthening consumer protection safeguards, improving data governance standards, and introducing clearer regulatory mechanisms to address emerging telecommunications challenges such as cybersecurity threats, digital platform services, and the expansion of broadband connectivity.

The report further recommends that Fiji align its telecommunications regulatory framework with international standards and best practices promoted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to enhance regulatory transparency, promote innovation, and strengthen Fiji’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. Fiji is a signatory to the ITU.

In addition, the review calls for greater emphasis on universal digital access, including improved broadband connectivity in rural and underserved communities, as part of Fiji’s broader digital transformation and economic development agenda.

The University states that modernizing telecommunications legislation will help ensure that Fiji’s communications infrastructure remains resilient, inclusive, and capable of supporting the country’s rapidly evolving digital society.

The review was conducted by the Office of the Vice Chancellor’s Legal Team: Manager Legal Office, Alishah Ali, Legal Officer, Natalie Raikadroka, and Legal and Research Assistant, Alsheik Ashad Ali.

The University of Fiji says that major and radical attitudes towards the numeracy crisis in Fiji are needed if the situation is to improve substantially.

Responding to the latest statistics revealed by Education Minister Hon. Aseri Radrodro which shows that the Year 5 literacy rate was 95% while the numeracy rate lagged behind at 74%. Moreover, over 80% of Fiji’s schools recorded below expected levels in mathematics performance at Year 4.

The University of Fiji Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, says that maths must be taught well because it builds lifelong, innovative and critical thinking. “In addition, it is a vital subject for explaining not only how our own planet functions but the entire solar system and beyond”. She believes that there is no time to waste in finding adequate learning and teaching strategies to cope with Fiji’s numeracy deficit in schools.

To assist with the National Numeracy Strategy of the Ministry of Education, the University of Fiji will submit a strategy document to assist with the Ministry’s numeracy education reform.

Ms Ayesha Reddy, an academic from the School of Science and Technology and Maths Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, has developed a resource module as part of the recommendations for the Ministry. Noting the mathematical proficiency gap at Year 4 and 5, Ms Reddy suggests introducing a compulsory Multiplication Verification Assessment (MVA) in Year 5. This diagnostic assessment will help gauge the multiplication table competency held by students and explore intervention and scaffolding methods for students who are facing difficulties. The MVA will not act as a summative assessment so no marks will contribute towards the final examination.

Ms Reddy recommends that the strands and topics in Year 8 and Year 9 mathematics be scrutinized by the Curriculum Development Unit to ensure a smooth and realistic transition while progressing from primary school into secondary school, for example Algebra and Calculus that dominate upper secondary mathematics and are crucial for studying maths at tertiary level.

UniFiji also proposes a 60/40% teaching model for lower primary mathematics classes so that 60% of delivery is teacher-led while 40% is self-directed and heutagogical inquiry-based learning. This proportion is recommended as the majority of students do not develop entire abstract thinking, reasoning or problem-solving skills by the age of 12 years. The importance of teacher-led instructions is therefore as necessary for primary school mathematics as inquiry-based learning is for secondary school mathematics. The University has made other recommendations to assist with mitigating the numeracy crisis and will forward these to the Ministry.