Exam cheating surge, major threat to Fiji’s education system

Cheating in national examinations is on the rise and threatens to undermine the credibility of Fiji’s education system, the Ministry of Education has warned.

Acting Director of Exams, Sereseini Lesi, told school leaders in Nadi that more students are resorting to dishonest tactics, with confirmed cases growing during external exams.

Last year, seven Year 12 students were caught sneaking in handwritten notes, textbook pages, mobile phones, and even smartwatches.

“Those students caught and proven to have cheated will be given zero as a result, according to the 2017 Examination Policy that mandates a zero grade for offenders,” Ms Lesi said.

She reminded students preparing for their final exams in October and November that the ministry will not tolerate breaches of exam rules.

Ms Lesi said the issue had become a national concern, demanding urgent action from schools and communities. Principals and teachers were urged to tighten supervision and ensure every student understands the rules.

“Chief supervisors have already begun training but success depends on accurate school registration, clear communication and vigilance at every examination centre, especially in rural and maritime areas where recruiting supervisors remains difficult,” she said.

Beyond cheating, worrying trends are emerging. Male participation and pass rates continue to decline, rural students lag behind their urban peers, and some schools recorded zero per cent pass rates in sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics.

At the same time, more students are turning to technical subjects with a 40 per cent internal assessment component — raising concerns about standards.

Ms Lesi called for detailed and accurate data to guide policy, urging principals to submit comprehensive reports at year’s end.

“You are nation builders, not just school builders,” she told the Fiji Principals’ Association Conference. “Without decisive action, exam cheating and declining performance threaten the credibility of Fiji’s entire education system and the future of its students.”

Exams begin next month, with Year 8 students sitting papers from October 6–8, Year 13 from October 27–November 7, and Year 12 from November 11–21.