The increasing rate of school dropouts highlights the need for the Ministry of Education to reevaluate the school curriculum, according to Muniappa Gounder, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU).
Gounder stated, “Children today lose interest very quickly. The curriculum must be revised to be more engaging to capture our students’ attention.” He expressed concern that children are becoming disinterested in school on a daily basis.
He called on the Ministry of Education to conduct a comprehensive review of the curriculum, ensuring it is relevant, locally applicable, and relatable to the students.
Recently, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro disclosed that from 2019 to 2023, a total of 5,726 students dropped out of school before completing Year 10. He noted that while specific reasons for these dropouts weren’t documented, common factors reported at the school level included death, migration, transfers from public to private schools, and health issues.
Gounder warned against creating a curriculum modeled after overseas systems, which can be challenging for students and may lead to decreased engagement. He suggested incorporating digital learning, as today’s students are digital natives, and emphasized the importance of making school experiences engaging to maintain interest.
“Absenteeism has been rising because students are losing interest,” Gounder said.
He also pointed out that government assistance might play a role in the lack of motivation among students. “Parents tend to become less responsible as they are reliant on these aids. When individuals invest in their education, they have more incentive to encourage their children to succeed.”
Reflecting on his own experiences, Gounder stated, “In our time, our parents worked hard to support our education, and their sacrifices inspired us to do the same. Nowadays, many parents are complacent and do not take their responsibilities seriously, showing a definite lack of commitment.”
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