The Ministry of Education is set to review its recruitment policy for students entering Year 9 in 2025, as announced by Education Minister Aseri Radrodro. This initiative is part of a broader reassessment of the “no-repeat” policy, which the government feels has inadequately monitored students struggling with external exams such as the Fiji Year Eight Examination.

In the previous examination cycle, a total of 19,396 students took the Year Eight Examination, achieving a pass rate of 69%, which translates to approximately 13,383 students passing and 6,012 failing. Minister Radrodro expressed concern over students advancing to Year 9 despite inadequate performance, prompting this review to enhance accountability.

He urged parents and guardians facing challenges in enrolling their children in Year 9 to reach out to district offices for assistance. In response to the needs of students who did not pass, the ministry plans to reintroduce vocational learning opportunities, focusing on career training from Year 8 or Year 9.

Interestingly, this year also saw a slight improvement in academic success with a 2% increase in the pass rate from last year. The push for vocational education at an earlier stage could provide pathways for those students who struggle academically, helping to equip them with practical skills for future employment.

This proactive step demonstrates the government’s commitment to education and aims to address the diverse needs of students, which can only be a positive development for the future of the education system in Fiji.