Adi Pasemaca Valalau from Naduri Village in Macuata has voiced a significant concern regarding the education system during a recent Macuata Provincial Council meeting. She emphasized that children should not be solely held accountable for their academic struggles, especially in light of the 2024 Fiji Year 8 Examination results. As one of the few female traditional leaders participating in the meeting, Valalau highlighted the confusion caused by a curriculum that has undergone three revisions in the past twenty years, with these changes introduced by three different education ministers.
Valalau pointed out the challenges teachers face when adapting to new curricula, which in turn affects their ability to effectively educate students. She questioned how children can be expected to excel in their exams when the educational framework itself is inconsistent. Reflecting on her own experiences, she noted that parents today are often unable to assist their children with homework, as they are unfamiliar with the current curriculum.
She argued that it is too easy to blame parents for their children’s academic failures, asserting that a system-wide review is necessary to better support both educators and students.
This call for reform underscores an important dialogue about educational practices and systemic issues facing learners, suggesting a collective responsibility to improve the learning environment for children. By addressing these systemic challenges, there is hope for a more stable and supportive educational framework that can benefit both current and future generations.
Leave a comment