Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed deep concerns regarding the academic performance trends within Fiji’s education system, particularly in light of the recent Year 8 Examination results. He emphasized the need for stakeholders, including schools and teachers’ unions, to critically assess their roles in contributing to these declining outcomes.
In response to concerns raised by the Fiji Teachers Union and the Fijian Teachers Association, Mr. Rabuka questioned the actions being taken by these organizations to address the issue. He pointed out that the results of examinations serve as a vital measure of educational effectiveness and called for a thorough examination of underlying problems.
The Prime Minister posed several key questions, highlighting whether students are genuinely struggling due to inherent limitations or if there is a gap in knowledge transfer from teachers to students. He also expressed his disapproval of the current No Repeat Policy, asserting that it should be a topic of discussion with the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro.
Mr. Rabuka raised significant points about classroom capacity and the financial motivations for schools to focus on enrollment numbers rather than educational success. He indicated that while schools might be benefitting from government grants based on student numbers, the lack of positive academic results needs to be addressed.
This situation presents an opportunity for reform in the education sector. By fostering collaboration between governmental bodies, educational institutions, and teacher organizations, there is hope for creating a more effective and responsive educational framework that prioritizes student learning outcomes.
As this dialogue continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to actively seek solutions and implement constructive changes that can enhance academic performance and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
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