Fiji Primary School Teachers’ Perceptions of Classroom-Based Assessment

Fiji primary schools seiVice students from Year (Grade) 1 to Year 8 and traditionally there have been fo1mal national examinations in Years 6 and 8. Although there is still national testing, the fo1mal prima1y school examinations have recently been reviewed, with the expectation that primary school teachers will do more classroom-based assessment (CBA). This study repo1ts on 137 Fiji prima1y teachers' attitudes and practices associated with educational assessment based on their responses to the Teacher Sun1ey on Assessment in Fiji Primary Schools. This survey consisted of 20 positively worded statements and related "sho1t answer" written questions. The central findings were, Fiji teachers were suppo1tive of classroom-based assessment and they noted that it had encouraged more flexible assessment practices. They had conce1ns, however, about the consistency of grading between classrooms and the need to have more on-going professional development to enhance their assessment practices.