Educational Capacity Building in Fiji

Dear Supporters, 

In the wake of Cyclone Winston routine and structure was severely disrupted at Navunisea District School (NDS). This resulted in an alarming decline in the behaviour of students and the capacity of teachers and volunteers to deliver lessons. With consultation between GVI and school teachers, a collaborative full school behaviour management policy was created and implemented with great success, resulting in teachers and students regaining a safe and secure environment in which to teach and learn. 

What did we do?

GVI staff discussed what various structures would be appropriate for the school and created a general behaviour policy in line with the Fijian Ministry of Education guidelines. We then met with teachers from the school to make the policy specific to NDS. This involved selecting three core values for the school and building the expectations or rules from these values. Poor behaviours were then levelled and matched with a set list of consistent consequences, ensuring consistency across the school.

NDS teachers decided to create a school culture in which the school community holds pride in the values of respect, honesty and commitment. From these core values, the students were clearly explained what was expected of them both inside and outside the classroom. Posters showing the correct behaviour for each value were displayed in every classroom as well as a behaviour chart, these visual aids were present in both English and Fijian and supported the consistency this policy offered to the school. In conjunction with consistent expectations and consequences, a reward scheme was implemented to encourage positive behaviours. 

Student’s received raffle tickets from GVI volunteers and teachers for displaying the positive behaviours from the values. At assembly, one student from each class would then be drawn out to receive a small educational prize as well as the student from each class who received the most raffle tickets in a week. 

Student’s were eager to please those around them and the school regained the lovely atmosphere it once had almost instantly, making it a rewarding place to work and for learning to continue! 

Thank you for your continued interest in this project!

With Gratitude, 
GVI Fiji