10 Jan 2012

Samoa holds off dropping year eight exams

12:45 pm on 10 January 2012

Samoa's Ministry of Education Sports and Culture has reversed an original plan for the year eight national exam to be dropped this year.

The tests raised concerns among both private and mission schools as well as parents.

The ministry instead has decided to continue the national exam this year under which students are chosen through their marks.

One school principal says dropping the national exam would not encourage year-eight students to improve their study habit to achieve high marks to get into top colleges.

The principal who did not want to be identified alleges the move to drop the national year eight exam would no longer allow government primary school teachers to commit to the teaching profession.