An investigation is currently underway concerning the theft of Year 12 examination papers from Sigatoka Secondary School. The incident came to light when the principal reported that sealed bags containing the examination papers had been opened, causing the papers to be scattered around the school premises. A subsequent verification confirmed that several examination papers were missing.
This theft raises significant concerns about security protocols within educational institutions, as noted by Education Minister Aseri Radrodro. He revealed that a failure by school leadership to adhere to examination storage procedures contributed to this breach. It was reported that the principal had elected to store the testing materials within the school office rather than at the designated District Education Office, contradicting established practices.
The breach has raised alarms about the integrity of the examinations, specifically concerning subjects such as Chemistry, Computer Studies, Technical Drawing, and Vosa Vakaviti. The Fiji Police Force has been alerted and is actively investigating the incident alongside the Ministry of Education. Preliminary findings indicate that the principal did not report the break-in to the Nadroga/Navosa Education Office as required by examination policy, prompting further scrutiny into the situation.
In response to the breach, an emergency meeting has been convened by the Acting Permanent Secretary for Education to outline a comprehensive approach to managing the incident. Minister Radrodro reassured Year 12 students that examinations will proceed as scheduled, with supplementary examination papers already being prepared for the affected subjects, ensuring that the examination timetable remains unchanged.
This incident is not isolated, reflecting broader issues of security within schools. Recently, several schools in Labasa faced similar incidents of thefts, prompting Assistant Education Minister Iliesa Vanawalu to emphasize the need for school committees to prioritize safety and consider enhancing security measures, including the potential hiring of security personnel.
Moreover, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, underscored the importance of routine security checks at educational institutions to deter criminal activities, especially during periods when students might not be present.
The authorities underscore that a collaborative effort between school administrations and local law enforcement will be essential in strengthening security measures and maintaining a safe learning environment. This ongoing investigation and the proactive measures that follow signal a commitment to protecting the integrity of education in Fiji and ensuring the safety of students and faculty alike.