The Interim Education Minister, Filipe Bole will soon discuss with his senior ministry what step should be taken in relation to Suva Grammar School after serious concerns were highlighted about the low academic achievement at Grammar.
Bole said he is aware of the call made by the Suva Grammar Old Students Association and will look into the matter.
However Bole said he cannot reveal when the final decision will be made.
Yesterday afternoon, some Suva Grammar Old Students Association members led by President, Jashmin Tam met with the senior Education Ministry officials highlighting concern about the performance of the students in external examinations.
Village News has also been informed that the former Grammarians have highlighted concern that they are worried about the school losing its multi-racialism and turning into a Fijian school.
Suva Grammar School's pass rate for the Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination last year was 39 percent while the Fiji Seventh Form Examination pass rate for 2007 was just below 50 percent. Another concern highlighted to the ministry is the Form Seven English paper pass rate which stood at a very low percentage of 29 percent.
We have also been informed that the selection criteria of students is very weak, with reports being received that parents can just go and ask the Principal to take their children in, and if they are good in rugby or athletics, they are taken in without any academic assessments. To make matters worse, Suva Grammar is a School of Excellence.
The concern has also been raised is that students are now mainly taken in at Suva Grammar on who you know basis. Over the past eight years the focus has also increased on sports rather than academic achievement at Grammar, which has resulted in the drop in the pass rate in the exams year after year.
Grammar is one of the biggest schools in Fiji with over 1,000 students.
Grammar Principal, Ilikimi Kunagogo is not taking any calls.
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