As 31 percent of Year 8 students have failed their exam and are being encouraged to repeat, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has stressed that there is enough space in the school system.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Radrodro says maybe there are some concerns in terms of overcrowding in certain areas such as the Suva-Nausori and Nadi-Ba corridors, but in other places there are spaces available.
When questioned if these students have a guaranteed spot in year 8, Radrodro stresses they will have a spot available if they undertake the proper enrolment or re-enrolment processes and there is nothing to worry about.
He says failure is not something that should deter students but an opportunity to do better and children and the parents need to be reminded that this is not the end of the road.
Radrodro has also highlighted that automatic progression still continues but it is a challenge, along with the scarce availability of good primary school teachers.
He adds that automatic progression or poor quality of education is not the only reason why students are not doing well.
He also stresses that educating a child is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Education but it is also the responsibility of the parents and guardians, the Vanua, the church and the community.
Following concerns raised about students entering Year 9 and not being able to read or speak proper English and vernacular languages being used to teach other subjects such as science, Radrodro says those are teaching techniques the teacher would employ to ensure the students get a better understanding of the subject they are teaching.
When highlighted that the students will still be required to sit for their exams in the English language, Radrodro says the teachers are well aware of that and asks what is the problem with that.
