The Year 12 Chemistry, Computer Studies, Technical Drawing and Vosa Vakaviti external exam papers have been stolen after a break-in at a secondary school in Sigatoka.
To address this breach, the Ministry of Education Staff have already prepared supplementary exam papers for the compromised 4 subjects.
The Education Minister assures all Year 12 students that the exam will proceed as scheduled, and there will be no amendments to the initial exam timetable.
fijivillage News received confirmation of the incident last night and Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro says the break-in took place in the office of the Head of School.
Radrodro says Police was immediately notified, and an investigation commenced to identify the individuals involved and assess the extent of the breach.
He says as per the preliminary investigations carried out by the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office Staff and the Sigatoka Police, it can be ascertained that the Head of School has breached a few standard operating procedures of the Policy on External Exams and Assessment – 2017.
It has been highlighted that the Head of School insisted to the Senior Education Advisor, Nadroga/Navosa on storing the National Exam papers in his school office, instead of the District Education Office.
Upon discovering the break-in yesterday morning, the Head of School failed to first report the incident to the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office.
An emergency meeting was also convened by the Acting Permanent Secretary for Education involving key Senior Staff, to formulate the Ministry's plan of action following the exam breach confirmation.
The Examinations and Assessment Unit is conducting a comprehensive review of its exam storage and security protocols across all schools to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Radrodro reiterates to all Heads of Schools to strictly adhere to the Policy on External Examinations and Assessment so that there is no repeat of such incidents in the future.
