The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Year 12 examination will now be held from 7th to 17th February 2022 and results are expected to be released on 6th April 2022 while the Year 13 examination will be held from 1st to 11th February 2022 and results are expected to be released on 17th March 2022.
Education Minister, Premila Kumar has also confirmed that the schools will resume for face to face classes for Years 8 to 11 on the same date as for Years 12 and 13 which is from Tuesday, 4th January 2022.
The remote teaching and learning for Early Childhood Education to Year 7 will resume from Tuesday, 4th January 2022.
Kumar says while vaccination is not mandatory, the Ministry is encouraging all parents of eligible students to get them vaccinated for their safety and for the safety of others.
She says the decision to start face to face classes for Years 8 to 11 is based on the vaccination of the students who are 12 years and above.
Kumar says the staggered approach to re-opening of schools is being recommended as a cautious approach before all students enter schools for face to face learning.
She says the Ministry’s priority has always been the safety and security of students, teachers and ancillary staff.
Kumar also says based on best practices adopted by many countries, the syllabus was re-aligned this year to reduce the burden on our students.
Kumar says the Year 2021 has been an extraordinary year for all Fijians and the Ministry understands that it is important for the teachers and students to take a break during this festive season.
All teachers and students will go on break for 2 weeks starting from 20th December 2021 till 3rd January 2022.
The last day of reporting to school for all teachers will be Friday, 17th December 2021 while the first day of reporting to school after the break for all teachers is Tuesday, 4th January 2022.
The last day of remote teaching and learning for Early Childhood Education to Year 11 students will be Friday, 10th December 2021, however, teachers will continue coming to school till Friday, 17th December 2021 to mark worksheets, assist in the school vaccination programme and prepare for 2022.
During this break, Years 12 and 13, will be given revision activities to prepare for their external examinations.
She says after the break when Years 12 and 13 will return to school from 4th January, they will get back to their revisions and preparatory work for the exams as they get additional weeks.
Kumar says the Ministry of Education acknowledges students, teachers, parents, guardians, and school management for the resilience they have displayed so far, as well as the support they have shown towards the reopening of schools for Years 12 and 13 from November 1st 2021.
She says due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, it is imperative that the Ministry continuously revisits the School Plan to provide a safe environment for teachers, students and ancillary staff in the schools.
Kumar says the School Plan is being revised based on new scientific evidence, the current rollout of face to face teaching and learning for Years 12 and 13, the student vaccination programme, and the sound advice and guidance provided by the Ministry of Health.
She says the Ministry considered the requests from the students for more time to prepare for their external examination.
In view of this, an additional two weeks has been given to Year 13 and an additional 3 weeks to Year 12 students.
The Ministry also says the Heads of Schools and teachers from primary schools have been trained on the Safe Reopening of Schools Protocol.
The primary school teachers are required to prepare their schools for the school reopening and an inspection will be carried out by the Ministry of Health before the school closes on the afternoon of Friday, 17th December 2021 to ensure compliance with COVID-safe protocols.
Kumar also says from last month, schools have been advised to begin provisional enrollment for ECE, Year 1 and Year 9 for the new school year.
She says confirmation of places will be completed in February 2022, giving ample time for parents/guardians to do their school shopping.
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