Education Minister Aseri Radrodro has announced a significant breach of examination protocol following a recent break-in at a secondary school in Sigatoka, which has jeopardized the Chemistry, Computer Studies, Technical Drawing, and Vosa Vakaviti Year 12 examination papers. Preliminary investigations by the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office and local police revealed that the school’s principal did not adhere to established procedures outlined in the Policy on External Examinations and Assessment 2017. Instead of storing the national examination papers at the District Education Office, the principal chose to keep them in the school office, a decision that ultimately led to the theft.
Upon discovering the break-in, the Head of School did not promptly report the incident to the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office, raising concerns about compliance and accountability within the institution. In response, the Ministry of Education has quickly developed supplementary examination papers for the affected subjects, ensuring that Year 12 students can continue with their Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE) as scheduled, without any disruption to the timetable.
Minister Radrodro stressed the necessity of maintaining the security and integrity of the national examination system, urging all school heads to strictly adhere to policies to avert similar incidents in the future. “We remain committed to upholding fair, secure, and transparent conditions for every student during examinations,” he affirmed.
This incident also highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by educational institutions, with similar thefts reported in various regions. As a proactive measure, communities and school administrations are being urged to bolster security to protect against such breaches, reflecting a shared responsibility to safeguard students and uphold the integrity of educational processes.
The Ministry of Education’s prompt action in addressing this distressing situation shows a strong commitment to preserving the examination process and maintaining educational standards. Looking ahead, cooperation between educational authorities and local communities will be crucial in fostering a secure environment that promotes student success and well-being.