The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is looking at a new role for its divisional schools as it responds to growing social problems, including drugs.

The Church is proposing that some of its divisional schools be developed into reformative centres focused on helping address drugs and other issues affecting communities.

The proposal comes as the Church looks at how it can use its existing institutions to respond more directly to challenges affecting young people and communities.

While opening its Annual Conference, the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou, highlighted that the Church needs to change its approach to divisional schools and use them to address the issues emerging on the ground.

“I propose a reformative centre for holistic salvation. To see our divisional schools as a reformative centre for holistic salvation” Rev. Dr. Turagavou highlighted.

“It is an appropriate time to do something practical and workable that enables us to address drugs and multifaceted issues on the ground” he added.

Reverend Dr. Turagavou said tackling these issues will require more than the Church working alone, with a wider partnership needed to support communities and young people.

The President is calling on the Vanua, Lotu and Matanitu to come together and work collectively towards a common goal of liberation and reform, stressing the need for unity and cooperation in addressing issues affecting society.

“The three institutions, the Vanua, Lotu and the Matanitu, must work collaboratively and consistently towards a common goal and objective in order to liberate and reform” he said.

The proposal forms part of the Methodist Church’s wider plans for its 2027–2028 year of liberation and reformation, with the focus on finding practical ways to respond to issues affecting communities.

By: Joeli Ragoneliwa