Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has confirmed a serious breach in examination protocol following a recent break-in at a Secondary School in Sigatoka, which has compromised the Chemistry, Computer Studies, Technical Drawing, and Vosa Vakaviti Year 12 examination papers. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office and local police revealed that the Head of School did not adhere to the standard procedures outlined in the Policy on External Examinations and Assessment 2017. The principal had opted to store the national examination papers in his school office rather than at the District Education Office, a decision that ultimately led to the theft.
Upon discovering the break-in on the morning of the incident, the Head of School failed to immediately report the event to the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office, which has raised concerns about compliance and accountability within the institution. In light of the situation, the Ministry of Education has swiftly prepared supplementary examination papers for the affected subjects, ensuring that the Year 12 students can proceed with their Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE) as scheduled, without any alterations to the original timetable.
Minister Radrodro emphasized the importance of maintaining the security and integrity of the national examination system, reiterating that all Heads of Schools must strictly follow the policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. “We remain committed to upholding fair, secure, and transparent conditions for every student during examinations,” he stated.
In a broader context, this incident underscores the ongoing security challenges educational institutions face, as similar thefts have been reported across various regions. Communities and school administration are being encouraged to enhance security measures to safeguard against such breaches, illustrating the collective responsibility to protect students and maintain the integrity of educational processes.
As the Ministry of Education addresses this unfortunate situation, the swift action taken shows a dedication to safeguarding the examination process and upholding educational standards. Moving forward, collaboration between educational authorities and local communities will be essential in creating a secure environment that fosters student success and well-being.