379 Year 8 students did not sit 2025 external exam
Education Minister says schools must identify absenteeism early before prolonged absence affects learning
Thursday 20 August 2026 | 07:30
Members of the Fiji Head Teachers Association gather at the association's 43rd Annual Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort in Denarau, Nadi, on August 19, 2026.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia
Hundreds of students registered for Fiji’s 2025 Year 8 external examination did not sit the test, prompting the Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro to call for urgent attention to student attendance and behaviour.
Mr Radrodro said 19,000 students were registered for the examination, but only 18,628 sat the test.
“This means 379 registered students did not sit for the exam,” Mr Radrodro said.
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He revealed the figures yesterday at the Fiji Head Teachers Association’s 43rd annual conference at Denarau, Nadi.
Mr Radrodro said the Ministry of Education was investigating why the students did not sit the examination.
“The ministry is looking into the reasons for this, and attendance needs to be monitored from the time a student begins missing school before prolonged absence affects their learning.”
He said student attendance and behaviour required urgent attention, with schools needing to identify problems early and work closely with parents and the ministry.
Education Act
Mr Radrodro said the Education Act 2026 had strengthened the framework around compulsory education, making regular school attendance critical.
He said the three-day conference provided an opportunity for school heads and relevant agencies to discuss issues affecting students, including attendance, drugs, bullying, health and safety.
Mr Radrodro also urged heads of schools to ensure parents of Year 8 students were informed about Technical and Vocational Education and Training pathways available from Year 9.
“This is particularly important for students in rural and maritime communities where improved access to secondary education now provides more opportunities to continue their education closer to home,” he said.
$883m education allocation
Mr Radrodro said the 2026-2027 National Budget allocated $883 million to the education sector, compared with $847.4 million in the previous budget.
The Ministry of Education’s allocation increased from $675.4 million to $704.3 million, a net increase of $32.9 million.
“Our responsibility is to give each child a strong foundation and the opportunity to go as far as their ability and determination can take them, regardless of where they live or the circumstance they come from,” he said.
