The Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) is calling for the abolishment of the no-repeat policy in schools. Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of the FTA, urged the Coalition Government and the Ministry of Education to “seriously consider” eliminating this policy, which automatically promotes students each year.
Manumanunitoga argued that this automatic promotion is a primary factor contributing to poor academic performance and low grades among students. He noted that research indicates Fiji has slipped from its traditional top position in literacy and numeracy in the Pacific to sixth and seventh place, respectively.
“We have failed to address this issue since the new government was established,” he stated. Manumanunitoga added that while the government might view repealing the policy as an additional expense, the FTA believes it is a necessary investment rather than a financial burden. He reminisced that parents were once willing to pay for their children’s repeat years before the policy was implemented.
Since the policy was introduced in 2008-2009, it has diminished the urgency for parents to actively monitor their children’s academic progress, as they are aware of the automatic promotion to the next grade. This lack of accountability has resulted in parents being less engaged in ensuring their children succeed in their studies.
Manumanunitoga highlighted the concerning dropout rate at the primary school level, which was reported to be 4,589 students, suggesting that this number could decrease with the repeal of the no-repeat policy. He emphasized that increased parental involvement would lead to improved student learning, as teachers would be more inclined to focus on students who need to repeat.
The FTA is urging that the policy be discarded promptly to enhance Fiji’s academic standing within the Pacific region. Attempts to reach Education Minister Aseri Radrodro and Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca for comments went unanswered.
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