The No Repeat Policy, implemented by the FijiFirst government in 2014, is facing increasing scrutiny amid rising academic challenges in Fiji’s secondary schools. Paula Manumanunitoga, president of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), has highlighted that automatic promotions, irrespective of student performance, have led to a troubling increase in non-readers among Year 12 students.
In a recent statement, Manumanunitoga called on the Ministry of Education to abolish this policy and replace it with a system that requires students to repeat a grade if they do not achieve satisfactory performance. He expressed the FTA’s full support for reassessing this policy, emphasizing that it has contributed to a culture of complacency among students and a decline in parental engagement. Parents, knowing their children will advance regardless of their academic struggles, have become less involved in monitoring their children’s progress.
This policy has coincided with an alarming dropout rate of approximately 4,589 students at the primary level, suggesting a correlation between automatic promotion and increased disengagement in education. Manumanunitoga argues that reinstating the requirement to repeat a grade could not only curb dropout rates but also encourage parents to take a more active role in their children’s education, thereby fostering a more accountable educational environment.
Furthermore, the FTA is advocating for rigorous monitoring of student performance from Years 1 to 8 to ensure that fundamental skills, especially in reading, are acquired before students transition to secondary education. They also propose that teacher assessments be directly tied to the academic performance of their students, promoting increased responsibility and focus on educational outcomes.
Support for these reforms has also emerged from educational leaders, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who recognizes the need for a systematic reevaluation of the No Repeat Policy, particularly given the inadequate preparation of students for academic challenges based on recent examination outcomes.
The ongoing discussions reflect a hopeful movement towards enhancing education standards in Fiji, with a renewed emphasis on accountability and foundational skills for students. This collective push for reform signifies a commitment to securing a brighter educational future, where both students and educators can excel and meet their full potential in a supportive learning environment.
In summary, reconsidering the No Repeat Policy represents an essential opportunity for significant improvement within Fiji’s education system, potentially fostering better academic performance and enhancing the overall literacy and numeracy standards in the region.
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