Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts MOEHA

Overview

The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA) is the central ministry of the Government of Fiji responsible for setting national policy and overseeing the education system from early childhood through higher education, as well as managing national cultural heritage and the visual and performing arts. Headquartered in Suva at Senikau House (Gordon Street), the Ministry’s mandate extends beyond schooling to include the country’s historical archives, national museums, libraries and heritage sites. The government regards education as the most powerful vehicle for national development and MEHA plays a pivotal role in advancing that vision.

1) Historical and Legal Framework

Fiji’s Ministry of Education traces its roots to the post‑colonial era, with modern reorganisation following independence in 1970. Over time, acts such as the Education Act and the Higher Education Act 2008 have defined its mandate. The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service Act 2014 further extended its reach into financing tertiary education.

In 2013 the government expanded MEHA’s responsibilities by merging heritage and arts ministries into education, forming the current Ministry responsible for education policy, exams, libraries, archives and national cultural institutions. The Education Sector Strategic Development Plans (ESSDP), most recently 2019–2023, serve as the legal‑policy compass for implementation across all levels of education.

2) Mission, Vision and Objectives – Role in Higher Education

Vision: “Quality Education for Change, Peace and Progress,” aligned with national development aspirations and UNESCO’s regional frameworks.
Mission: To provide a holistic, inclusive and empowering education system benchmarked to global standards that develops independent, critical and creative learners who contribute meaningfully to national cohesion and economic well‑being.

In relation to higher education, MEHA aims to:

• Ensure equitable access to Level 7 and postgraduate qualifications, including support for urban and rural learners.
• Support quality and relevance of tertiary programmes through oversight of accreditation and alignment with national labour market needs.
• Administer scholarship funding and financial support schemes (including TSLS) to allow broader participation in universities and vocational institutions.
• Promote research, innovation and lifelong learning aligned with national goals of sustainable development.

3) Governance, Structure and Independence

The Ministry is led by a Minister for Education, with the Minister for Heritage and Arts likewise responsible for the preservation and promotion of culture. As of January 23, 2024, Viliame Gavoka serves as Minister of Education; Ifereimi Vasu is Minister for Heritage and Arts. The permanent head is the Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage, Arts and Library Services.

MEHA is organised into divisions, including:

• Curriculum Development and Assessment
• Testing, Standards & Examinations
• Education Sector Strategic Planning & Policy
• Library, Archives & National Heritage
• Arts & Culture Services
• Finance, HR, ICT and Corporate Services

While the Ministry provides strategic leadership and state funding, institutions such as the Fiji Higher Education Commission (later FHEC) are empowered as semi‑autonomous statutory agencies to regulate and accredit universities and colleges in cooperation with MEHA.

4) Accreditation and Quality Evaluation – Role in Higher Education

Accreditation and quality oversight are managed through the Fiji Higher Education Commission, established by the Higher Education Act 2008. According to uniRank, FHEC is the statutory body responsible for registration, accreditation and monitoring of all higher education institutions in Fiji. The Commission defines standards, grants certificates of recognition, evaluates applications for institution registration, oversees programme accreditation, conducts audits and maintains the national qualifications framework.

Institutions must be recognised by FHEC before operation; qualifications from self‑accrediting institutions require registration of programmes, while others must receive full accreditation. The Ministry supports FHEC’s work by allocating funding, providing policy directions and liaising with stakeholder institutions.

5) International Cooperation and Network Memberships

MEHA and its statutory agencies engage in international and regional partnerships, including:

• Participation in UNESCO‑sponsored Pacific Human Resources Development initiatives and the Pacific ECD (Early Childhood Development) Forum, reaffirming leadership in regional education dialogues.
• Collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC) on curriculum reviews, teacher training and STEM promotion.
• Engagement with the Commonwealth and UNESCO to reinforce national culture policy, library digitisation and heritage preservation.
• MOUs with New Zealand, Australia and Japan on university and vocational exchange, higher education innovation hubs and research funding frameworks.

6) Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Recent developments and planned actions include:

• FHEC’s first office in Labasa (Northern Division) launched in early 2025, marking historic decentralisation of higher education services and facilitating student mobility across the Vanua Levu region.
• The introduction of a Fiji National Research Council (proposed under MEHA’s policy framework), aimed at funding locally led research in education, agriculture, health and climate science.
• Upscaling Papua‑Sony-led digital learning platforms via FEMIS (Fiji Education Management Integrated System) to support higher education administration and online learning.
• Integration of Fiji National Qualifications Framework (FNQF) into tertiary accreditation and recognition, promoting micro‑credentials, credit transfer and career pathways.
• Expanding scholarships and financial aid (CSC‑supported Merit‑Based Overseas Schemes, Level‑7 Local Schemes, Postgraduate Research Grants) to support underserved learner groups.

Together, these initiatives aim to raise graduate employability, eliminate unaccredited providers and empower students from remote communities.

7) Summary

The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts is the cornerstone of Fiji’s educational, cultural and intellectual infrastructure. Through overarching policy frameworks and sector-wide funding, it ensures that education—ranging from nursery to tertiary level—is accessible and quality‑driven. Higher education regulation and evaluation are managed via a statutory body (FHEC) functioning under Ministry oversight but with operational autonomy, ensuring academic standards are met. MEHA’s dual role in heritage and arts promotes national identity alongside educational excellence, supporting Fiji’s social cohesion and sustainable development.

8) FAQs

• What does the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts do?
  It sets and implements national education policy, delivers school curricula, oversees national exams, provides cultural heritage services and guides policy affecting higher education.
• Who accredits universities in Fiji?
  The Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC), a statutory agency established under the Higher Education Act 2008, is responsible for recognising and accrediting higher education institutions and programmes.
• Is tertiary education free in Fiji?
  Public higher education is subsidised but not fully free. The Ministry funds public universities via grants. Students may access loans or scholarships under the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service; fees may apply in private and foreign institutions.
• How can I check if a university is legitimate in Fiji?
  FHEC maintains a public register of recognised institutions and approved qualifications. Prospective students and employers can verify accreditation status via FHEC’s online portal or its regional offices.
• Who is the current Education Minister in Fiji?
  As of January 23, 2024, Viliame Gavoka serves as Minister for Education; Ifereimi Vasu is Minister for Heritage and Arts.
• Does the Ministry support research?
  Yes. MEHA supports research and innovation via scholarship schemes, plans to establish a national research council and frameworks to align university programmes with national development priorities.

Organization Name

Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts

Acronym

MOEHA

Year of Establishment

1/01/2000

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

22 Gorrie Street
Suva
Central Fiji

Phone

+679 331 4477

Fax

+679 330 3511

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts's Wikipedia article

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