EDITORIAL COMMENT | Literacy crisis!

The revelation that we may have declining literacy and numeracy standards in Fiji is cause for concern. Going by the scenarios before us, it does set the stage for a lot of work moving forward. Now we learn that curriculum changes made without adequate research, the removal of vernacular languages as a medium of instruction in the early years, and overcrowded classrooms are contributing to declining literacy and numeracy standards in Fiji. This is according to former trade unionist and educationist Susana Tuisawau. She was reacting to the Pacific region’s appalling literacy and numeracy performance recorded in 2025 and reflected in findings released this week by the Pacific Community (SPC). She is now calling for a thorough review of primary teacher training and practicum, particularly for Years One to Three. The report found only 44 per cent of Year 4 students across the 15 participating Pacific countries reached the expected level of reading proficiency. Again, we say this is serious. Ms Tuisawau believes that while Fiji did not feature in the assessment because no country report was submitted, the regional results reflected what teachers here had been experiencing. In her view, the findings were consistent with the downward trend teachers in Fiji had been witnessing for some time. Fiji, she said, was once among the stronger-performing countries in Pacific literacy assessments.

Read the original report: fijitimes.com →

Published

10 Sep 2026

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English