The no-repeat policy in Fiji’s schools must go, says the Fijian Teachers Association.
FTA general secretary Paula Manumanunitoga has urged the Coalition Government and the Education Ministry to “seriously consider” scrapping the policy altogether.
Mr Manumanunitoga said automatic promotion every year did not make sense because it was the main reason why there were poor student grades and failure in assessments and exams.
He said research suggested that Fiji had fallen from its normal number one position in the Pacific on literacy and numeracy to numbers six and seven respectively.
“We have failed to remove this since the new government came in,” Mr Manumanunitoga said.
“If the Government says that it would mean more expenses on their part, the FTA feels that it is a worthy cause and not a wastage. Our parents used to gladly pay for our fees to repeat before the policy was brought in
“Since its introduction in 2008-2009, it has been noted that it has seriously doused and weakened the sense of urgency in parents to monitor their child’s performance, knowing that the child will automatically be promoted to the next class come the new academic year.”
Mr Manumanunitoga said this took away the sense of responsibility off parents to supervise, monitor and ensure that their child excelled in their studies.
“Noting that the total number of students who dropped out at primary school level, which was announced by the minister to be at 4589, FTA feels that the rate could be decreased if the no repeater policy is removed.
“Student learning would improve when monitoring by parents increased and teachers would be mindful of having repeaters in their classes and would ensure better performance from them.
“FTA requests the policy be rejected as soon as possible to improve our academic status in the Pacific.”
Questions sent to minister Aseri Radrodro and permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca last week remained unanswered.
