Year 5, Year 7 literacy results improve, but numeracy declines

Literacy results among Year 5 and Year 7 students improved in 2025, but declining numeracy performance remains a concern for Fiji’s education system.

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro revealed the results while opening the 43rd annual conference of the Fiji Head Teachers’ Association at Denarau, Nadi, yesterday.

He said Year 5 literacy results increased from 90 per cent to 95 per cent, while Year 7 literacy improved from 93 per cent to 95 per cent.

However, Year 5 numeracy remained at 74 per cent, while Year 7 numeracy declined from 83 per cent to 81 per cent.

Mr Radrodro said the Ministry was using the results to strengthen literacy, numeracy, curriculum and teaching support.

The conference theme, ‘Leading with Vision, Empowering Schools and Reaching Lives, Shaping Fiji’s Future,’ reflected the work ahead for education leaders, he said.

Mr Radrodro also highlighted progress in Early Childhood Education, with teachers now employed full-time.

He said rural and maritime schools continued to benefit from improvements in transport, water tanks, solar power and connectivity.

Access to secondary education has also expanded, with 13 new secondary schools offering Year 9 in 2026, with some also providing Year 10 classes.

Mr Radrodro said this would allow more students, particularly those in rural and maritime communities, to continue their education closer to home.

He said the 2026 learner assessment had been conducted, with the results expected to provide further information on student performance.

The scaling of marks for national examinations also commenced this year following a Cabinet decision.

The Education Act 2026 has been passed by Parliament, while the National Curriculum Framework 2013 is under review.

Mr Radrodro said headteachers and teachers played an important role in ensuring curriculum reforms were practical, relevant and responsive to students’ learning needs.