6000 Plus Students Failed Year 8 Exam
From 2019 to 2023, 5726 students dropped out before completing year 10, with another 4589 leaving before finishing primary school, according to ministry data.
Thursday 26 June 2025 | 22:00
Nearly half of all students who sat the Fiji Year Eight Examination this year failed, raising alarm bells among parents, teachers, and education stakeholders.
Of the 19,300 plus registered students, the Ministry of Education recorded a 69 per cent pass rate, up just two per cent from 2023. This leaves more than 6000 students likely to progress to year nine, despite failing.
Fijian Teachers Association general secretary, Paula Manumanunitoga, described the results as “close to pathetic”, urging all stakeholders to reassess and strategise.
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“From classroom teachers to ministry officials, everyone must take stock, analyse the issues, and implement countermeasures to improve outcomes next year,” he said.
Mr Manumanunitoga criticised the lack of parental involvement, stating many parents fail to supervise or support their children’s education. “They should take their children’s education seriously and not treat it as trivial,” he said.
The controversial no-repeat policy introduced by the previous government came under fire. Mr Manumanunitoga called for its removal, blaming it for advancing students unprepared for higher levels.
“We have children who can’t read going to university. It must go,” he said.
From 2019 to 2023, 5726 students dropped out before completing year 10, with another 4589 leaving before finishing primary school, according to ministry data.
Curriculum chaos
Mr Manumanunitoga pointed to frequent curriculum changes as a significant issue, noting the confusion caused by multiple reforms in the past decade.
“There have been at least three curriculums introduced by different ministers, and the constant changes are confusing for teachers,” he said.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also criticised the no-repeat policy, indicating plans to revisit it. He acknowledged the need for a more effective curriculum to address persistently poor exam results.
The Ministry of Education was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
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