School dropouts are another problem that the Government needs to seriously address, says Opposition member Hem Chand.

Responding to Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro’s statement on the 2024 Fiji Year Eight Examination results, Mr Chand said there was a significant increase in dropouts at the primary school level in 2023.

“Last year 2023, 1162 students dropped out of school before completing primary education, that is an increase of 34 per cent compared with (755) in 2022,” he said.

“This is despite the free education scheme that was introduced by the Bainimarama government in 2014.

“Over the past five years, the highest number of students dropped out of school in 2023 before completing Year 8 was more than 1000 students.

“There is a huge increase in school dropouts compared to previous years. This is absolutely shocking.”

He said the past government’s Free Education Grant and Transport Assistance had a great impact in reducing student dropouts.

The former Ministry of Education primary education director added that current transport issues were fuelling students’ failure to attend classes.

The Opposition MP also highlighted drug-related cases in schools and teacher retention were also issues the Government needed to look into.