The general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, Paula Manumanunitoga, has urged the government to reconsider the No Repeat Policy. His appeal comes as concerns grow following last week’s release of the Fiji Eighth Year Examination results, which showed a slight increase in the pass rate from 67% to 69%. However, many still see this as indicative of deeper issues within the education system.
Manumanunitoga emphasizes the importance of retaining students who do not pass their exams, as this would allow for targeted support to help them prepare for future academic challenges. He argues that the current policy might lead to students advancing without a proper understanding of the material, ultimately affecting their long-term educational outcomes. This scenario also places more responsibility on parents to engage with their children’s education, potentially leading to improved performance overall.
In his statements, he raises significant concerns about potential inadequacies in the curriculum and the quality of teacher training programs, stating, “Is it because of the curriculum or is it because of the quality of teachers produced at teacher training institutions?” He highlights the need for a collective evaluation by all stakeholders in the education system to develop effective strategies for improvement.
Moreover, Manumanunitoga points to the stressful conditions faced by teachers and emphasizes the necessity of fair compensation to enhance their well-being, which in turn would positively impact student performance. He has previously requested better wages for teachers but noted a lack of responsiveness from government officials.
In a positive light, the ongoing discussions underscore a growing awareness of the challenges facing the educational system in Fiji. The calls for reform also reflect a broader recognition of the need for collaboration between teachers, parents, and government officials to foster a more effective and supportive learning environment for students. Addressing these issues presents an opportunity for significant progress and improvement in education across the nation.
Summary: Paula Manumanunitoga, secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, has called for the elimination of the No Repeat Policy in light of low pass rates on the Fiji Eighth Year Examination. He stresses the importance of retaining students who fail, enhancing curriculum quality, and improving teacher conditions and pay to boost educational outcomes. The discourse highlights the need for systemic changes and collaboration within the education sector to foster better student performance and engagement.
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