The fact that more than half of Fijians polled in a survey supported the return of corporal punishment shows there is still a lot of education and awareness needed.
Save the Children Fiji’s chief executive officer Shairana Ali said it also highlighted how deeply rooted attitudes toward violent discipline remained in Fiji.
Speaking after the findings were presented at the National Conversation on Corporal Punishment at the University of the South Pacific, Ms Ali said the results showed how much more work was needed to change mindsets around child discipline.
“We need to move decisively towards non-violent, respectful discipline,” she said.
The Education Act Review Commission consultations revealed that 60 per cent of participants favoured retaining corporal punishment under Fiji’s Education Act.
The Fijian Teachers Association’s (FTA) general secretary, Paula Manumanuitoga, has since cited the findings to justify calls for its reintroduction, due to worsening student behaviour.
But Ms Ali said such views underscored the importance of nationwide efforts to promote positive discipline and end violence against children.
“Save the Children Fiji reaffirms its commitment to working alongside parents and caregivers, schools and teachers, faith-based and community leaders, government ministries, and civil society organisations to provide training on positive discipline and positive parenting.
“We stand ready to work with any school, village, or faith-based organisation that wants to learn how to discipline children without violence.”
