Almost half of the students who participated in the Fiji Year Eight Examination this year did not pass, raising serious concerns among parents, educators, and various stakeholders in the education sector. Of the nearly 19,300 students registered to take the exam, the Ministry of Education reported a 69 percent pass rate, which is a slight increase of just two percent from the previous year.
This statistic indicates that over 6,000 students will likely move on to Year Nine despite not meeting the passing criteria. Paula Manumanunitoga, the general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association, described these outcomes as “close to pathetic.” He urged all involved parties to thoroughly evaluate the situation and develop new strategies to enhance student performance in the following year.
Mr. Manumanunitoga criticized parental involvement, suggesting that many parents do not actively supervise or support their children’s educational journeys. He emphasized the importance of fostering a serious attitude toward education at home.
The article also highlighted criticism of the controversial no-repeat policy instated by the previous government, which has been blamed for allowing unprepared students to advance to higher levels of education. Mr. Manumanunitoga expressed concern that some students are advancing to university without adequate reading skills, calling for the removal of this policy.
Additionally, data from the Ministry indicates that from 2019 to 2023, 5,726 students dropped out before completing Year Ten, with another 4,589 leaving before reaching the end of primary school.
Amidst these challenges, Mr. Manumanunitoga pointed out the impact of frequent curriculum changes, noting that three different curricula have been introduced by various ministers over the last decade, creating confusion for teachers and hindering educational effectiveness.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also voiced his dissatisfaction with the no-repeat policy and signaled a desire to reevaluate the educational curriculum in response to ongoing poor exam results. The Ministry of Education was not available for comment at this time.
In light of these challenges, it is clear that a coordinated effort among all stakeholders is essential to foster improvements in Fiji’s education system. By prioritizing collaboration, enhancing parental engagement, and establishing a consistent and effective curriculum, there is hope for better educational outcomes in the future.
Summary: This article discusses the alarming failure rates among students in the Fiji Year Eight Examination, noting a 69 percent pass rate that has raised concerns among education stakeholders. Criticism has been directed at the no-repeat policy and the lack of parental involvement, along with the confusion caused by frequent curriculum changes. Prime Minister Rabuka has indicated plans for reevaluation to address these issues and improve educational quality going forward.
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