Solomon Islands Education Ministry plans to do away with class six and form three exams by 2006, replacing them with school based assessment.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Doctor Derek Sikua says at present 40 percent of 13 year olds drop out of school as a result of failing standard six exams.
Doctor Sikua says revamping the system will enable all children to progress into secondary schools and raise education levels throughout the country.
"We will be able to provide basic education for up to nine years. Often the students who drop out of Standard Six do not have the life skills to enable them to survive in the outside world, and as well, some are lacking basic skills in reading and writing."
