The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) has expressed its concern over a notable decline in the pass rate for the Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination (FY13CE) this year. According to the Ministry of Education, the results revealed a five percent drop in pass rates, falling from 91 percent in 2023 to 86 percent this year. A total of 8,603 students took the examination.
Muniappa Goundar, the general secretary of the FTU, emphasized that this decrease is a concern not just for the union but for all stakeholders in the educational landscape. He pointed out that the lowering of performance levels among students reflects broader challenges impacting the educational system.
While the union recognized the dedication of teachers in preparing students, Goundar highlighted the need to identify and understand the factors contributing to this decline. Among the challenges noted were the ongoing recovery from post-COVID pandemic learning, resource constraints in various schools, and the socio-economic issues many families are grappling with.
The FTU sees this situation as a crucial opportunity for collective introspection and proactive measures. Goundar urged the Ministry of Education, school leaders, and other stakeholders to come together to address the systemic gaps that affect student performance. This collaboration could include bolstering teacher support, enhancing learning resources, and fostering greater parental and community involvement.
In a positive development, the Ministry of Education acknowledged the outstanding achievement of ten secondary schools that attained a 100 percent pass rate, including Nadarivatu Secondary and Jai Narayan College. Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, also commended two government schools—Adi Cakobau and Vunisea Secondary—for markedly improving their pass rates, reflecting hope for progress within the education system.
Radrodro underlined the importance of ensuring students feel supported as they consider their future paths, whether that leads them to higher education, vocational training, or entering the workforce. The FTU remains devoted to empowering teachers to deliver quality education and expresses readiness to collaborate with the Ministry and other parties to implement solutions aimed at reversing the declining trend and enhancing Fiji’s educational framework in the long run.
This situation, while challenging, presents a promising opportunity for stakeholders to unite in their efforts to strengthen the educational landscape and improve outcomes for future students.
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