Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has confirmed that a school leader in Sigatoka has violated examination storage procedures, leading to the theft of several Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination papers. The incident transpired in the school office where the principal had chosen to keep the national examination papers, contrary to the established practice of storing them at the District Education Office.
The Minister has reported that the break-in resulted in the compromise of Chemistry, Computer Studies, Technical Drawing, and Vosa Vakaviti examination papers. He stated that the Fiji Police Force has been alerted, and investigations are currently underway to ascertain those responsible for the breach and evaluate the impact of the theft.
According to Mr. Radrodro, preliminary findings indicate that the Head of School failed to follow standard protocols outlined in Sections 6.4.1.9.2(c) and 6.4.12.9.3 of the Policy on External Examinations and Assessment (2017). It was also noted that the principal did not report the break-in to the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office as required.
In response to the situation, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Education convened an emergency meeting with senior officials to formulate a plan for the Ministry’s response. Mr. Radrodro assured Year 12 students that examinations will proceed as scheduled, citing the Ministry’s preparations of supplementary examination papers for the affected subjects without altering the timetable.
Furthermore, the Examinations and Assessment Unit is actively reviewing all storage and security protocols to prevent future breaches. Mr. Radrodro has urged all Heads of Schools to adhere strictly to the examination policy to maintain the integrity of national examinations.
This incident reflects broader concerns regarding security in educational institutions, echoing similar thefts reported in various regions, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures. School committees are encouraged to bolster security to protect against such vulnerabilities, fostering a more secure environment for students and educators alike.
The swift action by the Ministry and law enforcement to address this breach signals a commitment to upholding educational standards and protecting the integrity of the examination process. Looking forward, collaborative efforts between school administrations and local authorities will be vital in ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students.
Leave a comment