Adi Pasemaca Valalau, a representative from Naduri Village in Macuata, expressed her concerns about the educational system during a recent Macuata Provincial Council meeting held at Sasa Village. Highlighting the results of the 2024 Fiji Year 8 Examination, she emphasized that children should not bear the responsibility of academic failure alone.
Valalau pointed out that the frequent changes in the curriculum over the past twenty years, particularly under various education ministers, have left students and parents confused. With the curriculum being updated three times, she noted that teachers often require time to adjust and fully understand the new material before they can effectively educate their students. This lag in teacher training, she argues, contributes to children struggling to meet academic expectations.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Valalau shared that in her time, the lessons learned at school were consistent and familiar to parents, allowing them to assist their children with homework. Today, however, many parents are unaware of the subjects their children are studying, making it difficult for them to provide support.
Valalau called for a systemic review of the educational framework to address these issues, suggesting that rather than blaming parents for their children’s educational struggles, focus should be on improving the system itself.
By fostering open discussions about the educational challenges facing children and advocating for necessary reforms, there is potential for positive change. Collaborative efforts between educators, parents, and policymakers can create an environment where students can thrive, ensuring that they do not carry the weight of the system’s shortcomings.
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