Passing rate is a reflection of the education shortfall

By The Editorial Board 04 February 2025, 10:00AM

The passing rate of students who sat the Samoa School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) is nothing to be proud of. It is reflective of the focus that education has been given by the government, educators and parents.

The 47 per cent passing rate shows a weakening education system. While some schools and students have achieved good results, the results show a lot of work is required at the national level.

The percentage of students meeting the 200 aggregate mark required for admission to the National University of Samoa (NUS) dropped from 65 per cent in 2023 to 47 per cent in 2024. This means that more than half of the students who sat the national exams did not make it. For this result, blaming the pandemic and lockdown is useless.

The results indicate a pressing need for improvements across various educational levels, particularly in preparation for higher education. For 2024, a total of 3,937 students sat the national examination. Of these, 1,524 students achieved the required 200 aggregate mark for admission to NUS, combining English with their best three subjects.

This represents a noticeable drop in comparison to 2023, when 1,309 students, or 65 per cent of the 2,021 exam takers, met the NUS admission criteria. In addition, 1,347 students are eligible for enrollment in NUS' Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. Unfortunately, 370 students failed to qualify for admission to either NUS or TVET.

The figures present a clear trend of declining performance and the need for targeted reforms in the education system, particularly at the college level.

The biggest question is why fewer and fewer students are passing. The government must be ready to take some blame. Last year when we hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government, the students and teachers were pressured to finish their curriculums at a faster pace. Teachers were also used for logistical purposes during CHOGM.

Surely, this would have impacted students and their studies. It was a shorter school year and teachers were under pressure to get things done faster meaning that students would not have been offered the quality time they usually have.

The Ministry of Education needs to seriously look at the direction they are headed. There is concern about the falling rates of literacy and numeracy and now we have more students failing to make the 200 passing mark.

The Pacific Community (SPC) has experts who can help the ministry do an audit of the education system and suggest ways to improve the education system. What cannot be denied is that everything is dependent on a strong foundation.

That foundation is missing. Only 26 per cent of students in Samoa attend kindergarten or access early childhood education. This step develops children and gears them for Year One. Studies have proven that literacy and numeracy rates are better in children who attend ECE. There is no focus on making ECE compulsory. If that is done, all students would be required to go to kindergarten before they start Year One.

We need the education ministry and the NUS to seriously consider preparing ECE teachers and raising the bar for student-teacher intake. This will only happen if teacher salaries are improved. It will not be harmful if all teachers are made civil servants and the government pays them salaries. Where is the money? Discontinue the $1 million district project, and pay teachers instead.

There there is the question of access to education. This key area needs improvement. This can start by making education free.

Parents are equally responsible if there is no push in the family setting for students to take time at home and do some studies. Even if it is revision work for an hour. Families are getting too comfortable handing electronic devices to children instead of books. Take these devices off the children for an hour and let them study.

Parents are the only ones who can improve students' attitudes to education. Students not passing is a reflection of the education shortfall we have as a country.

Something has to change, we need an educated society to make informed choices including choosing leaders.

By The Editorial Board 04 February 2025, 10:00AM
Samoa Observer

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