Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, alongside former Education Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa, is calling for the repeal of the ‘no repeat policy’ in schools, advocating for a thorough review following disappointing Year Eight examination results.
Recent data revealed that almost half of the Year Eight students failed their exams this year. Out of 19,350 registered students, only 69% passed, marking a mere two percent improvement compared to the previous year. This raises concerns, as more than 6,000 students may progress to Year Nine without having attained essential learning skills.
Rabuka voiced his concerns during an interview, suggesting that the policy might be driving schools to focus on securing government funding rather than prioritizing educational outcomes. He questioned the motivations of schools, asking, “Are schools simply trying to secure more government grants with little regard for academic results?” Rabuka also highlighted the importance of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) in overseeing teacher performance and tackling these educational challenges.
Echoing his sentiments, Ro Teimumu Kepa emphasized the necessity for students to have opportunities to repeat grades when required. She stated, “We cannot expect every student to learn at the same pace,” and advocated that allowing students to repeat a year is essential for helping them fully understand the material. “Failing a year doesn’t mean failure in life; it’s an opportunity to build a stronger foundation for future success,” she added.
Both leaders agree that a redress of the ‘no repeat policy’ is crucial to ensuring students are better equipped to meet future academic and life challenges.
By reevaluating educational policies that clearly aren’t serving students effectively, there’s a potential for systemic improvements that not only support struggling learners but also enhance overall educational standards in the region. This collective advocacy provides hope for a more flexible and understanding academic environment that recognizes individual learning paces.
Leave a comment