Bula
Two stories make the front page of The Fiji Times for Monday, December 9.
The 2013 Constitution can be challenged on the grounds that it failed to comply with the procedures and principles outlined in decrees established by the Bainimarama government. Speaking in the recent AG’s Conference, Constitutional lawyer Jon Apted said a more focused approach is needed to change Fiji’s Constitution, specifically the need to amend the rules for making constitutional changes.
THE Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) suffered “reputational damage” after the 2006 coup after it was observed the Commissioners were in “favour of the appointing authority.” FHRADC chairperson Pravesh Sharma told the Lens@177 they are currently in the process of having the commissioners’ posts advertised to ensure that persons be appointed on merit.
Synopsis
Discipline, support and responsibility!
Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) chairperson Pravesh Sharma made an important point the other day when he appeared on The Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177.
He spoke about children turning up to school high on drugs becoming a human rights issue for teachers.
Teachers’ welfare in schools, he said, was now a human rights issue for the commission.
“So, if a student turns up, you know, after taking drugs or alcohol, as you know students’ corporal punishment can no longer be inflicted on children and that’s fair enough,” he said.
“But how do you deal with students who are under the influence of drugs?”
This is an important question.
Given the limitations in terms of discipline, and allowable modes of discipline, the question is critical.
How does one deal with such students?
“So, this is a problem for the teachers and there’s been quite a high number of reports that students are taking drugs,” he said.
Mr Sharma said student counsellors and teachers could help address the issue.
“Remember it’s not only about students, but also about the teachers, their mental well-being has to be looked after as well.
“Imagine, you know, if you had to look after 50 children on a full day, I think most of us would be very stressed to do that.”
Mr Sharma said it was important that the Government, teacher unions, school management and parents recognise and show support towards teachers’ mental health and psychosocial well-being.
“You’ve got to admire teachers for the job they do, but we also have to ensure that they are looked after as well.”
Now this is where we have to draw a line and ponder on many things.
Given the limitations, and the boundaries parents and guardians and teachers have to work within, there has to be acceptance of how difficult it is to discipline children, and how well our children are going to respond to advice and correction.
Surely some may. The challenge is going to be on those students already using drugs and still going to school, high on drugs, and refusing to listen!
If talking isn’t going to heck it for them, the challenge is going to be finding a solution to get the message through to them, and that too, without disciplining them!
How does that even work out?
How does this even boost the confidence of parents and guardians, and let’s translate that to teachers! It sounds like a pretty complex situation we have here! This is why we need to be talking about this. For the sake of the future of our country, and our children! Someone needs to consider all the implications, and positives and the negatives, and get some semblance of order in our lives.
As much as we may want to talk for or against discipline, the challenge here is worth noting. Mr Sharma has raised important issues that demand our attention.
Nobody said this is going to be easy! But it is about time that we raised it as an issue and discussed it!
How can we effectively communicate important messages to students without resorting to punitive measures? Let’s face it, the landscape of discipline has shifted, and as Mr Sharma pointed out, the legal and societal frameworks on parenting and teaching are evolving. While parents are discouraged from disciplining their children, children are empowered to question their upbringing. As we said, this creates a complex scenario that can leave both parents and teachers feeling unsupported and uncertain.
But we must talk about discipline, support, and the responsibilities of all parties involved in a child’s upbringing. It is important for us to consider the long-term impact on our society and the future of our children.
Mr Sharma has raised important issues that demand our immediate attention. Addressing the challenges of drug use in schools and supporting the mental health of teachers are not trivial matters.
We may not see eye to eye on some issues, but surely it is important that we talk about the complexities of discipline, support, and responsibility!
