To the Year 8 Students of Fiji:
First and foremost, congratulations to those of you who passed with flying colours! Your success is a reflection of your hard work and the sacrifices of your parents, family, and even your ancestors.
Celebrate this moment and carry it with humility and gratitude.
But today, this message is for those of you who may not have passed or didn’t achieve the results you had hoped for.
Let me remind you, this is not the end. Right now, the pain might feel overwhelming, and the disappointment might sting. People might talk for a week or two, but then they’ll move on to the next topic.
What matters is how you choose to rise from this moment.
Growing up, I was haunted by certain subjects and teachers. I vividly remember a teacher who handed out exam papers from the highest to the lowest, creating a hierarchy that humiliated many of us.
That experience left scars—it took years to unlearn the shame ingrained by that toxic culture, where marks seemed to be the only thing that mattered.
When I became a teacher, I made a promise: no student of mine would ever feel the way I did. I believe we must break free from the unhealthy obsession with test results that stems from our colonial past and limited re-sources. Your value is not defined by a number.
Let me tell you this: whether you score a 100 or a 50, both students can achieve success. What truly sets people apart is their intent, ambition, and hard work. No two brains are the same. Some of you may excel in Maths, but struggle with Science, others may thrive in sports but find English challenging.
The only competition that matters is the one you have with yourself. The real question is: have you grown from where you started?
It’s okay to feel bad today—I’ve been there too. But let this disappointment fuel your ambition to be better. Channel your energy into something positive, and one day, you’ll look back and laugh at this moment, proud of how far you’ve come.
I wish someone had told me this when I was younger. Now, it is our responsibility to break the cycle of a toxic focus on marks, for the sake of future generations. You are more than enough—for yourself, for your parents, and for the world.
When you look in the mirror, be proud of who you are. Don’t let the words of any igno-rant aunt or uncle make you question your worth or talent.
The world is waiting for you, and your journey is just beginning. All the best—keep striving, and keep believing in yourself.
You are capable, you are brilliant, and you are enough.
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