A National Consultation is scheduled for today at Suva Grammar School, running from 9 am to noon, where various stakeholders will come together to discuss the proposed repeal of the ‘No Repeat Policy,’ also known as Automatic Progression. This policy currently allows students to advance to the next grade regardless of their academic performance, a practice that has raised alarms among educators and policymakers concerning its effects on student motivation and overall academic outcomes.

Education Minister Aseri Radrodro emphasized that this consultation aims to provide an inclusive platform for parents, teachers, student representatives, and educational partners to share their insights and experiences. He expressed that engaging a diverse array of voices is essential for achieving equitable policy outcomes, ensuring that all perspectives are considered.

The need for this consultation has been underscored by distressing statistics from recent Year Eight examinations, which revealed that nearly half of the 19,350 registered students did not achieve passing scores. This alarming data suggests that the Automatic Progression system may have fostered a culture of complacency, leading students to feel less compelled to strive for academic success since their promotion is guaranteed regardless of performance.

In line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030, the primary objective of repealing the Automatic Progression policy is to ensure that students demonstrate the necessary competencies at each educational level before advancing, thereby reinforcing educational standards and accountability.

The National Consultation represents a constructive opportunity for meaningful discussions about educational reform in Fiji, and there is hope that the insights gathered from stakeholders will pave the way for impactful policy changes. This initiative reflects a commitment from Fiji’s leadership to adapt educational policies to better accommodate the diverse needs of learners, ultimately creating pathways for students to thrive academically and personally.

In summary, this effort underscores a collective aspiration to elevate educational standards and create a supportive environment that empowers every student to achieve their full potential. The dialogue fostered in this consultation could lead to substantial changes that not only enhance student engagement but also promote a more equitable and effective educational framework in Fiji.