The Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) has called for the disqualification of students from a Sigatoka school involved in an alleged theft of external examination papers related to the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE). The incident, which reportedly occurred on Monday evening, involved an unknown individual breaking into the principal’s office and stealing the examination papers for key subjects including Chemistry, Vosa Vakaviti, Technical Drawing, and Computer Studies.
FTA General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga confirmed his participation in a crucial meeting held in Suva on Tuesday, following the Education Ministry’s notification of the break-in. He stated that the association’s recommendation is for students implicated in the theft to be disqualified from the exams in the affected subjects. Furthermore, if investigations reveal that the theft extended beyond the school, involving sales of the papers to students from other schools, he emphasized the necessity of a police investigation into the matter.
To ensure that academic progress is not disrupted, Manumanunitoga proposed alternative assessment methods, suggesting that students be evaluated based on mid-year and school-based results, rather than penalizing them by denying them the opportunity to advance to Year 13. He underlined that the ultimate decision lies with the Minister of Education and highlighted the importance of strict security measures for examination materials, stressing that exam paper safety is crucial leading up to examinations.
In a supportive stance, the FTA has backed the Education Ministry’s proposed responses to the theft incident. The Ministry already initiated a review of its examination storage and security protocols to prevent future breaches. In light of the incident, supplementary examination papers for the affected subjects have been distributed to ensure that students can still take their exams within the set timetable.
The breach has raised significant concerns regarding the adherence to examination protocols, especially as it was revealed that the school’s principal had not reported the incident promptly following its occurrence. Manumanunitoga criticized this lapse, insisting on immediate accountability for any misconduct associated with the breach.
This incident reflects broader issues of security within educational institutions across Fiji, highlighting the urgent need for better safeguarding of examination materials. Other recent reports indicate that schools have experienced similar breaches, prompting a call for enhanced security measures and oversight.
Moving forward, it remains imperative for educational authorities and school administrations to work collaboratively with local law enforcement to ensure the integrity of the examination process, fostering a safe educational environment for all students. As the examinations approach, educators and communities are rallying to support students, underscoring the importance of trust in the assessment process and the value of academic integrity.
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