Teachers’ Union Laments Exam Pass Drop

The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) is concerned with the drop in the Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination (FY13CE) pass rate this year.

The results released yesterday had dropped by five per cent, said the Ministry of Education.

There were 8603 students who sat for the examination.

The Ministry said 86 per cent passed compared to 91 in 2023.

Union general secretary Muniappa Goundar said the drop was not just a concern for the FTU, but for all stakeholders in the education sector.

“It reflects on broader issues affecting student declining performance,” he said.

While the union acknowledged the effort of school teachers in student preparation, the other concern to focus on was to understand the factors that affected performance.

Several challenges highlighted were post-COVID pandemic learning recovery, resource limitations in various school, and socio-economic pressures faced by many poor families.

“FTU believes this is an opportunity for collective reflection and action. We urge the Ministry of Education, school administrators, and other stakeholders to work together in addressing systemic gaps”.

This includes strengthening teacher support, improving learning resources, enhanced student support, and parental and community engagement.

Minister acknowledges effort

The Ministry of Education acknowledged 10 secondary schools that achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

They are Nadarivatu Secondary, Nilsen High, Tavua District Secondary, Ratu Finau Secondary, South Taveuni Secondary, Nasesevia Secondary, Valebasoga Secondary, Duavata Secondary, Rewa Secondary and Jai Narayan College. Three North-based schools achieved this feat.

Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, congratulated two government schools for improving their FY13CE results. They are Adi Cakobau which improved from 97 per cent to 98, while Vunisea Secondary jumped from 83 to 97 per cent pass.

“It is essential for students to feel supported as they consider their next steps, whether that involves pursuing higher education, vocational training or entering the workforce,” he said.

FTU remains committed to ensuring that teachers are empowered to deliver quality education.

“We are ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to design and implement strategies that will not only address this decline but also strengthen Fiji’s education system in the long term,” Mr Goundar said.

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