Qualified teachers leaving Fiji’s education system for fruit-picking jobs overseas highlights a devastating brain drain crisis that affects schools. Former UNESCO official Abel Caine warned that the economic disparity was undermining the teaching profession’s value and contributing to the exodus of experienced educators. “The situation, where teachers might seek opportunities as fruit-pickers, suggests a significant economic disparity that undermines the profession’s perceived value,” Mr Caine stated in his submission for the Education Act review. In Australia, fruit pickers earned at least AUD $28.26 (FJ$41.37) per hour, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman. New Zealand fruit pickers averaged NZ $48,879 (FJ$66,066) annually or NZD $23 ($31.09) per hour. His comprehensive report revealed a teacher crisis with significant shortages of qualified educators and widespread issues of under-qualified staff in classrooms. The submission highlighted that the demoralised teaching workforce was due to “inadequate pay structures that do not sufficiently acknowledge qualifications or years of service”. This was contributing to a substantial exodus of experienced educators seeking overseas opportunities, including through schemes like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) programme. Without addressing economic incentives, efforts to recruit and retain high-caliber educators would likely fail, directly impacting education quality and student outcomes. The brain drain is creating a cycle where low pay led to low retention, which results in lower quality education and further erosion of the profession’s standing. Statistics showed Fiji faced critical teacher shortages with many schools operating with unqualified staff, while overcrowding affected 70 per cent of institutions. Mr Caine, who worked with UNESCO across 55 countries for nearly 20 years, called for competitive salary packages and clear career progression pathways to stem the exodus. “Without addressing these economic incentives, efforts to recruit and retain high-caliber educators will likely fail,” he warned. His submission proposed transforming teachers into globally sought-after professionals, similar to how “Fiji rugby players” were internationally recognised for their expertise. Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj