The Fiji Teachers Association says ignorance is the biggest hurdle it faces in reversing an alarming dropout rate from the country's schools.
A study released by the association has revealed that around 17,000 students are dropping out of school every year because of financial hardship.
The research shows the bulk of them are indigenous Fijians from rural communities.
The association's project manager, Josefa Nainima, says parents are spending their income on customary and religious obligations before their children's education.
He says indigenous Fijians are trapped in a poverty cycle and need to change their attitudes towards education.
"It's a vicious cycle in that sense, people who live in rural areas. And because of their level of education, their socio-economic status will remain low, always. Unless we educate that parents so that they can change their attitude towards education."
His says indo-Fijian families see education as a high priority because few of them own land.
