Improving Education Achievement of PAcific Students
Pacific students’ low self-belief in their ability to succeed and weak self-regulation of behaviour towards learning are major factors contributing to their poor academic achievement in tertiary studies.
These were the finding of a recent research study undertaken by Professor Anil Narayan and his co-researcher, Irshad Ali to investigate why Pacific students’ success and completion rates in tertiary education continue to lag other ethnic groups.
The research comprised a survey of sixty-two Pacific students enrolled in a university accounting degree programme and three focus group meetings attended by twenty-three survey respondents. The study also found that teachers have an invaluable role in helping Pacific students achieve academically and professionally.
Professor Narayan, also the Head of Department of Accounting at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, has taught and supervised many Pacific students in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes over the past two decades.
He is originally from Suva; Fiji and a high number of his students are from Fiji. He believes that low self-belief in Pacific students stems from a combination of issues including language and cultural barriers and feelings of racial and cultural inferiority.
His research found that Pacific students with low self-belief often have negative perceptions of their ability, lack confidence and motivation to study, feel embarrassed to contact their teachers, and avoid learning tasks or make superficial attempts when faced with difficult tasks or assessments.
These students often blame themselves, shy away from seeking help, and ultimately stop attending classes.
Pacific students participating in the research also identified several obstacles to their academic achievement, most notably, time management issues, lack of preparation for class, and poor class attendance. Many students said they had difficulty allocating time towards study due to leisure, family, friends, and church commitments.
These comments, according to Professor Narayan, highlight the need for Pacific students to selfregulate by prioritising their learning needs, setting specific learning goals, monitoring their progress, and managing their time efficiently. Self-regulation also requires students to become self-aware, and to self-motivate and consciously manage their behaviour towards academic success.
Pacific students participating in the study noted that support from parents, church leaders, and teachers are needed to help them selfregulate.
According to Professor Narayan “Our research suggests that teachers play a crucial role in preventing Pacific students from developing negative perceptions of their academic abilities, and in nurturing self-belief and confidence”.
The teacher can help students develop self-confidence and academic capabilities by building trusting relationships and providing a safe and supportive learning environment that is culturally inclusive. Student learning and success directly relate to engagement and teacher interaction.
Pacific students generally feel comfortable attending classes and engage in learning when the teacher is friendly, approachable, culturally sensitive, and shows empathy and care for their learning needs.
Student engagement and success can also be enhanced through verbal encouragement, knowing student names, and acknowledging the context of Pacific learners.
The unique identities, languages, and cultures of Pacific people need to be reflected in how teachers teach.
In 2022, Professor Narayan received the New Zealand Business Research Translation Award for relevance and impact in making this a compelling topic addressing a significant issue of likely interest and value of findings to the policymaker community.
The teacher can help students develop SELF-CONfiDENCE AND academic capabilities by building trusting relationships and providing a safe and supportive learning environment that is culturally inclusive. Student learning and success directly relate to engagement and teacher interaction.
■The original journal article Selfefficacy and self-regulatory factors as impediments to Pasifika students’ success in accounting education by Ali, I and Narayan, A.K was first published in Pacific Accounting Review Vol. 31 No. 3, 2019 pp. 394-412.