Fiji Principals Push to Bring Back Year 10 Certificate

The Fiji Principals Association has advocated for the reintroduction of the Year 10 Certificate Examination, formerly known as the Fiji Junior Certificate Examination. Vishnu Deo Sharma, the association’s president, emphasized that the examination, which was previously discontinued, played a vital role in shaping students’ career paths, ensuring accountability, and promoting fairness and opportunity in education.

Addressing the audience at the Fiji Principals Association’s 132nd Conference, Sharma highlighted the importance of reinstating the examination. According to Sharma, its absence has removed a crucial evaluative checkpoint that helped students better understand their educational and vocational choices. He further noted that an internal survey showed 95% of the association’s members support the examination’s reintroduction by the next academic year.

This call comes amid concerns regarding educational standards in Fiji, particularly highlighted by recent Year Eight Examination outcomes, where nearly half of the students failed to meet the required standards. The pass rate was reported at only 69%, prompting significant discourse on educational reforms.

The broader educational landscape in Fiji has been under scrutiny, with numerous stakeholders, including the Fijian Teachers Association, expressing dissatisfaction over policies such as the no-repeat policy, which allows students to advance despite not mastering necessary skills. This has raised fears about students’ preparedness, as figures indicate high dropout rates and low completion rates for Year 10 and primary education in recent years.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and other education leaders have echoed the concerns surrounding current educational policies and frequent curriculum changes, stressing the need for stability and effectiveness to improve educational outcomes. These discussions suggest a collective willingness among stakeholders to address these pressing issues collaboratively, hoping to pave the way for significant advancements in the Fijian education system.