PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka does not believe in automatic progression in the school system.

Speaking on the consultations which is in progress across Fiji, Mr Rabuka said students needed to meet academic standards before moving forward.

“I went through difficult times in my education, and you had to qualify to progress to the next class,” he said.

Mr Rabuka’s comments come as discussions continue about whether students should be automatically promoted or required to qualify for the next grade.

“It’s important that students earn their progression through hard work and effort,” he said, adding it was difficult for students to progress to the next class.

“This was during my time.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro said for now students may not feel the need to put in the required effort to achieve expected academic excellence.

Mr Radrodro said their promotion to the next grade was guaranteed, regardless of their performance in class.