A National Consultation is set to take place on January 16, 2025, at Suva Grammar High School Hall, where various stakeholders will gather to discuss the potential repeal of the ‘No Repeat Policy’ or Automatic Progression, which allows students to be promoted to the next grade regardless of their academic performance. This consultation, emphasized by Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, aims to provide an inclusive platform for parents, teachers, students, and educational partners to share their insights and experiences regarding the policy.
Radrodro pointed out that this policy has inadvertently created a culture of complacency. Recent results from Year Eight examinations revealed that almost half of the 19,350 registered students failed to achieve passing scores, raising significant concerns about the educational framework’s effectiveness. This alarming trend indicates that students may feel demotivated to work hard, knowing their promotion is guaranteed despite their performance.
The event aligns with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030. The objective will be to evaluate both the positive and negative impacts of the No Repeat Policy and ensure that students master the necessary competencies at each grade level before moving on.
Previous discussions involving political figures such as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and former Education Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa have echoed calls for heightened educational standards, suggesting that the ability to repeat grades, when necessary, is crucial for student success. They argue that this flexibility can better meet diverse learning needs and promote engagement.
The National Consultation offers a constructive opportunity for meaningful dialogue about educational reform, potentially leading to policies that enhance academic outcomes and support student engagement. The collective insights from stakeholders could play a major role in paving the way for a more robust educational system that prepares students for future challenges.
This initiative reflects a hopeful commitment from Fiji’s leadership to adapt educational policies that are more considerate of individual student needs, setting the stage for a brighter future in the education sector.
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