The Fiji Times newspaper has admitted to an error in its report that was published yesterday attacking contents in a circular that was circulated by the Attorney General to more than 6000 teachers.

The daily newspaper that marked its 149th anniversary yesterday had wrongly quoted Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum that school heads don’t need modern skills like school management and computer literacy to be effective, however this was incorrect.

Sayed-Khaiyum says his circular said the exact opposite before adding that free training for these essential skills would be provided by the Education Ministry.

Fiji Times Editor Fred Wesley says the Minister’s claims are true and admitted it was their mistake, they acknowledge and regret it.

Wesley says Education is a critical issue for policymakers, educators, students and families so there will always be debate on any proposed reforms.

Sometimes the reformers may be proven right; other times they will not and sometimes debate will bring out a better solution on which both sides can agree.

The Fiji Times Editor says the education of our children is important to all of us adding the daily newspaper will continue to publish the views of all sides in the debate.

He adds the Fiji Times will give priority to the issues in the debate and not personal attacks on the participants.

Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum says teachers with listed email addresses have already received the circular, and this direct and transparent line of communication has already proven to be effective.

He adds they’re working with the Government ITC to allocate an official GOVNET email address to every Fijian teacher, widely opening their correspondence with the Ministry.