The Ministry of Education will investigate why some students missed the Year 8 external exam and the factors behind this year’s low 69 per cent pass rate.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro said the divisional and district education officers have been tasked to find these answers and report to him at a consultation planned for early next year.
Mr Radrodro said teachers in their respective districts and divisions were also expected to inform the ministry why their schools did not progress well as compared to last year.
“Our division and district officers have been tasked to get the detailed information,” he said.
“Until we get those information, we will then make comments in terms of the real reasons why these students were enrolled in Year 8 but they failed to register to sit for examination.
“So, these are the ones that we would like to concentrate on, to get explanations. Generally, we have a feeling of the challenges and the difficulties there, but we would like to hear first-hand from them.”
For those students who failed, Mr Radrodro said they have an option to repeat Year 8.
“Those who failed, there’s options for them.
“As I’ve stated, Cabinet had approved the repeat policy and that policy allows for students, in consultation with the parents and teachers, ensure that, at the end of the day, the child is given the proper education support.
“Now we’ve considered that, because of the concerns raised, the child has the opportunity to repeat, as per the new policy of the Ministry of Education.
“So, yes, for those that have failed, there is an opportunity for them to repeat Year 8 again.”
Mr Radrodro had revealed that 18,628 of the 19,007 registered Year 8 students sat for the national exams and achieved an overall 69 per cent pass rate.
