Liahona High School has denied claims that examination marks of students sitting their final year examinations at the school were altered to benefit the student who became captain for 2016.
A complainant alleged the student who was officially announced as dux of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ largest school, Fe’ofani-‘a-Kakau Huni came third when the students’ final marks were finalised.
Following questions from Kaniva News, the principal of the school Fatafehi Fifita issued this one sentence response in Tongan: “Fakamalo atu ho’o fetu’utaki mai. Fie fakamahino atu pe ‘oku ‘ikai mo’oni ‘a e ngaahi tukuaki’i ko ‘eni na’e kakaa’i Dux ‘a Liahona”. (translated) Thank you for contacting us. Just wanted to clarify the claims that the school dux for Liahona was cheated is untrue”.
Makeleta Langi Ahome’e Embry claimed the real school dux for this year was her nephew Kukuna ‘Ahome’e who was awarded second in the prize giving day.
She claimed the school altered the marks when the final grades were computerised.
She also claimed there was a breach of students’ right to confidentiality of information while the grading of the students’ marks was processed.
She claimed Kukuna’s marks were discussed by one of the teachers and the dux without Kukuna knowing about it.
She said her brother, Kukuna’s father and mother “challenged” the school and asked them to allow Kukuna and Huni to exchange marks to see if they were really the marks the gradings were based on.
She claimed the school declined the request on the grounds of confidentiality.
Embry claimed the school apologised to Kukuna’s parents and told them to be happy as Kukuna was the only one to be picked on a scholarship to go to Utah or Hawaiʻi.
Embry claimed in the last four years there were discontents about Liahona’s duxes.
“They need to stop robbing these kids of the dreams and goals they set and work so hard for in many years”, Embry said.
At the prize giving day two weeks ago Huni thanked students and guests who attended the prize giving day for their support, which she said greatly assisted her in her endeavour to become dux of Liahona.
She said the pathway she went through while studying was not easy.
She said she grew up in Niuatoputapu and studied at Hihifo primary school.
Her family struggled and faced many problems including the tsunami that struck one of the most isolated and furthest island in Tonga.
The main points
- Liahona High School has denied claims that examination marks of students sitting their final year examinations at the school were altered to benefit the student who became captain for 2016.
- A complainant alleged the student who was officially announced as dux of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints school, Fe’ofani-‘a-Kakau Huni,came third when the students’ final marks were finalised.
- Following questions fromKaniva News, the principal of the school Fatafehi Fifita issued this response: “Thank you for contacting us. Just wanted to clarify the claims that the school dux for Liahona was cheated is untrue”.
- At the prize giving day two weeks ago Huni thanked fellow students for their support, which she said greatly assisted her in her endeavour to become dux.
