Principals in Fiji were challenged to enhance quality education by the Minister for Education, Heritage, Culture and Arts, Mahendra Reddy, because it would result in quality passes.

This was a point stressed by Mr Reddy, at the conclusion of the 116th Fiji Principal Association Conference at the Tanoa International Plaza in Nadi yesterday.

He said the responsibility of creating a good learning environment was on the heads of schools.

“You as leaders must ensure that the learning environment is appropriate and up to standard,” Mr Reddy said.

“You are very special and you are the leaders of your own rights.”

Mr Reddy said last year’s data showed a low pass rate for students. The percentage pass for English was at 62.9 per cent. Mathematics had 15.5 per cent, Biology had 14.2 per cent, Chemistry had 10.4, Physics had 28.4, Accounting had 38.6, and Economics had a 52.8 per cent pass rate.

“This reveals the state of delivery that is being done in schools. Each one of you are in custody of someone’s children,” he told the principals.

He said it was crucial that teachers were up to par with the standards of the Ministry of Education.

“Everyone has the right to grow and everyone has the right to dream. School system plays a very vital role and you, as a principal, are in charge of the learning school environment.

“We need to ensure to know the changes that are happening and adapt ourselves to it.

“At the end of every year, the learning outcome is very low. Your core business is to deliver quality education.”

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