Schools will no longer conduct exams for years 1 to 3 from 2022 academic year

Schools will no longer conduct exams for years 1 to 3 from the 2022 academic year which starts on Monday.

While making the announcement in parliament today, Minister for Education, Premila Kumar says the current examination system distorts curriculum intentions and kills innovative teaching.

She says this must change to create room for critical thinking and analytical mind.

Kumar says students need to demonstrate a range of skills and qualities such as problem solving, team work, communication and flexibility.

She says the outcome of education is no longer simply acquisition of knowledge which is readily available but is about exploring ideas.

Meanwhile, FijiFirst MP, Virendra Lal says exams have put many young and developing minds through a lot of pressure and agony.

While delivering his end of the week statement on “Positive Effects of Removing Examinations for Years 1 to 3”, Lal says exams in early primary schooling has subjected young minds to the methods of memorizing lessons and discourages a child’s creative impetus.

He says loading students with homework and exams effectively withdraws the excitement and time to learn new concepts.

Lal says the stigma associated with not performing well in early school days has undoubtedly forced the slow learners to abstain from school and eventually drop out of the formal education sector.