Primary School Heads Happy With Exams Decision

The Fiji Head Teachers Association (FHTA) is strongly in support of the Ministry of Education’s decision to abolish examinations for Years 1, 2 and 3.

The FHTA is a national association for Primary Head of Schools (HOSs) and has 700 plus HOSs as its members.

The association’s National President Ana Vecenayawa said the decision was long overdue.

“I strongly believe that this would become the game changer for the education system and its future,” Ms Vecenayawa said.

“In many FHTA National Conferences and meetings, this was the centre of discussion and Primary School HOSs (Head of Schools) have been stressing on the importance of literacy and numeracy at the early stage of primary education,” she said.

“The basic literacy and numeracy skills need to be well grasped by the children for them to do well in later stages and also in other subject areas.”

Ms Vecenayawa said the announcement by the Minister for Education, Premila Kumar, has brought positive vibes amongst primary teachers and specially those who teach Years 1, 2 and 3.

She further added that removal of thematic teaching and introduction of civic and moral values would inculcate everlasting good virtues in the young minds who would later take the nation to the desired achievement level.

“Any educator with the right mind should support this new call because this will allow teachers to spend more time on learning and teaching rather than preparing students for examination, particularly at this early stage. It is high time that we need to be realistic and be genuine when it comes to the education of our young ones.”

She added that the change would ease the psychological stress on the students at such a tender age and provide a more appropriate environment for creative and critical learning.

“Our association endorses this change and will look forward anxiously for the implementation.”