29 exam cheating cases in 3 years

The Ministry of Education recorded 29 alleged cases of cheating and malpractice in Year 12 external examinations between 2022 and 2024.

This was revealed by Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro in Parliament this week.

The figures showed a drop in incidents, from 20 cases in 2022 to just three in 2023, before rising slightly to six cases in 2024.

Mr Radrodro, responding to a written question from Opposition Member of Parliament Hem Chand, confirmed all reported cases were investigated and resolved by the ministry.

“The data suggests overall improvement in exam integrity from 2022 to 2024, with a marked reduction in malpractice cases,” he stated.

The numbers come amid concerns about examination security, following the alleged theft of four Year 12 exam papers from a Sigatoka school earlier this month.

In September, Acting Director of Exams Sereseini Lesi told the Fiji Principals’ Association Conference in Nadi that students have been caught with handwritten notes, textbook pages, mobile phones and smartwatches during examinations last year.

During a parliamentary session on November 5, Mr Radrodro defended the ministry’s examination procedures when questioned about rising cheating incidents.

“The incidents of cheating is probably from his time,” Mr Radrodro told Mr Chand, requesting specific details of alleged cases.

He had challenged Mr Chand to provide clear clarification about cheating claims, particularly regarding incidents allegedly occurring over the past decade.

Mr Radrodro assured Parliament the ministry would continue collaborating with school leaders, supervisors, students, parents and law enforcement to maintain robust national qualifications.

The ministry’s examination policy mandates that students caught and proven to have cheated receive zero marks, according to the 2017 Examination Policy.

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