The Ministry of Education has maintained the stand that the 11 students from Labasa Sangam College who were given zero marks for their Form Seventh Examination biology paper will remain following an independent investigation.
Acting Minister for Education, Commander Viliame Naupoto said their finding is clear that there is conclusive evidence that malpractice was involved on the part of the students during the exam.
Commander Naupoto said none of the students have been targetted and people need to accept the reality that there was malpractice.
Commander Naupoto said everything was assessed during the investigation.
The earlier decision stands that the students can resit the paper.
Meanwhile the eleven students of Labasa Sangam College and their parents will go on a hunger strike following the decision.
One of the parent's concerned Rajesh Lal said that he is disappointed with the decision reached and he will therefore call a meeting with other parents following which a petition will be submitted to the Commissioner Northern.
Lal added that they will still not consider the option to re-sit the paper.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Filipe Naikaso