A concerned parent from Lautoka, Martha Lockwood, is urging the Ministry of Education to reinstate the repeat policy for students following her observations regarding her children’s academic performance. During recent consultations on the review of the Education Act, Lockwood expressed apprehension about the lack of consequences for poor academic results under the current educational system, particularly the “no repeat policy.”
She shared her insights, stating, “I have two sons, the older one knows the value of studying, but my younger son is less motivated, responding with ‘mum, don’t worry, if I fail or not, I will still go to the next class’.” Lockwood fears that students are losing the motivation to strive for academic success, as they do not fully understand the implications of their performance in school.
Isei Naqia, a school principal, supported Lockwood’s concerns by noting the visible effects of the no-repeat policy in schools. He remarked, “What we have sown in the last many years is reflected in student behaviors. There are no boundaries now. If they fail or pass, they do not seem committed to their work.”
The discussion around the evaluation of the no-repeat policy is resonating with recent calls from educational leaders, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and former Education Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa. Both have advocated for a reconsideration of this policy following alarming Year Eight exam results, where nearly half of the students failed their exams, with only 69% passing. They argue that this approach could be detrimental to students’ long-term academic success.
As this dialogue unfolds, there is hope for a reformed education policy that emphasizes individual learning needs, allowing for a more supportive environment where students are incentivized to take their educational journey seriously. Emphasizing mastery over mere progression may help cultivate a generation of motivated learners filled with a solid understanding of their subjects.
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