The Ministry of Education has called on parents to continue to send their children to school until further directive is given by the Permanent Secretary for Education.

After statements by the Fijian Teachers Association calling on students to stay away from school on Thursday as they are expected stage their strike, the ministry stresses that the FTA must concentrate on its grievances and not interfere in the running of the schools.

In a statement, the Ministry said teachers must focus on their core responsibilities and not allow the looming strike to impede on the children’s education.

In an exclusive interview with Village News, Interim Minister for Education, Netani Sukanaivalu said if more than 70 percent of teachers in a school go on strike, then the school will be closed.