The present research examines, from a cross-cultural perspective, the major factors
that are responsible for the considerable differences between the academic
performances of ethnic Fijian students and their Indo-Fijian counterparts. This
research focuses on cultural influences on academic performance, and in particular
with these two ethnic groups, their cultural values, beliefs, and practices, with respect
to formal education. The study represents an application and critique of theories of
cultural influences on academic achievement. The theoretical perspective on cultural
influences on academic performance is initially examined via a review of the relevant
literature. The empirical research involves face-to-face interviews, a survey, and
archival research (examination results and attendance records) in six raciallyintegrated
secondary schools, in both urban and rural areas in the Nadroga/Navosa
Province of Fiji. The study focuses in particular, on one semi-urban ethnic Fijian
secondary school where 37.5% of the school enrolments are boarders, with the rest
from neighbouring ethnic Fijian villages. In addition to the collection of data from
these institutions in 2004 and 2005, fieldwork was conducted in ethnic Fijian villages
in this province.