Boubale Primary’s mid-year awards boost student performance

A small rural school in Labasa has introduced an early rewards programme aimed at improving student performance and encouraging academic competition throughout the year.

Boubale Primary School’s mid-year examination awards programme has contributed to improved pass rates and overall marks as students prepare for their annual examinations.

Head teacher Shanjesh Kumar said the initiative was introduced across all year levels to encourage students to remain focused throughout the academic year.

"Our per cent pass rate across all levels has increased when compared to previous years," he confirmed.

The school recently hosted its mid-year prize-giving ceremony and, with support from donors, hopes to continue the programme in the coming years.

Mr Kumar said while schools traditionally held prize-giving ceremonies at the end of the year, Boubale Primary introduced an earlier awards programme to build excitement and encourage students to prepare earlier.

He said the initiative could be the first of its kind in the Northern Division, as schools usually recognised student achievements after annual examinations.

The programme has received support from parents, guardians, the school management committee, teachers and students.

"We want our students to become competitive from the start of the year so that they can win some awards during the mid-year prize giving," he said.

Mr Kumar said many students previously began their revision only during the annual examination period.

"So, this incentive awards program helps to motivate students to win some awards during the first half of the year and build up towards the annual exam," he said.

The school continues to face challenges, including limited access to electricity and reliable internet services for students from remote areas such as Lekutulevu and Dreketilailai.

"While town-based schools and its students have access to all essential tools to excel in their studies, we have implemented a mid-award program to inspire to raise above the challenge," he said.

With a roll of 84 students from Year One to Year Eight, the school hopes the programme will encourage more families to enrol their children locally instead of sending them to town schools.

Despite additional costs associated with the initiative, Mr Kumar said the school secured support from donors for trophies, certificates and a special lunch for students.

"We did not use the Free Education Grant (FEG) funds, instead secured loyal donors," he said.

He said maintaining academic consistency remained a priority for teachers.

"We want students to treat every internal exam with the same level of seriousness as the annual exam; this will build consistency in marks," he said.

Donors make it possible

Special recognition was given to retired head teacher Shandip Sagar Lal, who taught at several prominent primary schools in Vanua Levu during his career.

Carpenters Lubricants manager Sushil Chand and pundit Salendra Sharma, from the United States of America, donated trophies for first to third prize winners across all levels.

Mr Sharma manages a US-based charity organisation, New Hope Fiji USA.

Remington Labasa branch manager Laxman Swami provided academic certificates for top-performing students.

A special awards category was also introduced to recognise students who achieved an average of more than 90 per cent across all subjects.

As an additional incentive, a new laptop will be awarded to the student who achieves the highest mark in the Fiji Year 8 Certificate Examination (FY8CE).

The school also provides free stationery to students, requiring only commitment and effort from them.