The Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, has expressed concern over a declining interest in education among students in Fiji. In a recent parliamentary address, he revealed that results from the Fiji Year 8 Examination (FY8E) showed a pass rate of only 69 percent, highlighting that more than 6,000 of the 19,359 registered students have failed yet will still advance to Year 9.
Despite this year’s pass rate being the highest in several years, Mr. Radrodro noted inconsistent trends from 2015 to 2024, with a significant drop in 2022 and only a slight recovery in 2023. He identified several systemic issues contributing to student underperformance, such as a lack of motivation, an outdated curriculum, overcrowding in classrooms, and poor leadership within schools.
Particularly troubling is the disparity in performance between rural and urban schools, as well as among different ethnic groups. Rural students had a pass rate of 63 percent compared to their urban counterparts’ 70 percent. Moreover, iTaukei students passed at a rate of 67 percent, while Indo-Fijians and Rotuman students recorded 73 percent and 76 percent, respectively.
Mr. Radrodro urged the need for a review of the education curriculum to align it better with students’ interests and the local context. He also identified issues such as high student-teacher ratios, weak academic foundations, and low parental engagement as significant barriers to progress.
To combat these challenges, the Ministry has proposed several reforms, including the introduction of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Year 8 and 9 students. A critical reevaluation of the “no-repeat” policy, which allows failing students to advance without consequences, is also on the agenda. Additionally, enhanced monitoring of schools struggling academically will be implemented to ensure accountability for schools falling into the highest-need category.
Mr. Radrodro emphasized the collective responsibility of educators, parents, communities, and religious organizations in nurturing student success. He called for a collaborative effort to foster a learning environment that values education and encourages students to realize their potential.
This situation presents an opportunity for significant reform in the education system in Fiji, with collective action from all community stakeholders holding the potential for positive outcomes. By addressing these challenges head-on, there can be hope for a revitalized educational landscape that inspires students to engage and excel in their studies.
In summary, Fiji’s education sector is facing critical challenges, but through systemic reforms, community involvement, and a renewed focus on curriculum relevance, there is hope for improving student outcomes and rekindling interest in learning.
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