Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and former Education Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa are calling for the repeal of the contentious ‘no repeat policy’ in schools, particularly after the alarming Year Eight exam results revealed that nearly half of the students did not pass. This year, only 69 percent of the 19,350 registered students passed their exams, showing only a marginal improvement of two percent from the previous year. Consequently, over 6,000 students may advance to Year Nine without having attained fundamental skills.
In a recent interview, Mr. Rabuka voiced his concerns, suggesting that schools might be prioritizing funding over educational outcomes. He questioned whether schools are aiming to secure more government grants at the expense of academic competence and urged a comprehensive evaluation of the educational system. Additionally, he highlighted the role of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) in monitoring teacher performance to help tackle these issues.
Ro Teimumu Kepa echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of allowing students to repeat grades if needed. She argued that not all students learn at the same pace, and failing a grade does not equate to failure in life. Instead, it should be viewed as an opportunity for students to strengthen their foundational knowledge for future success.
Both leaders advocate that revisiting the ‘no repeat policy’ is crucial to ensuring that students are adequately prepared for future academic and life challenges.
This development emphasizes the importance of adapting educational policies to better serve students and improve overall learning outcomes. By allowing flexibility in the education system, more tailored support can be provided to help students thrive.
In summary, the push to review the ‘no repeat policy’ reflects a growing recognition of the need for a more inclusive and supportive educational framework that considers individual student needs and promotes long-term success.
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