TEACHERS being intimate with students will not receive union support and must “face the full brunt of the law”.
This was shared by the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) general secretary, Paula Manumanunitoga saying the association does not condone such behaviour, amid reports of a number of cases currently being investigated by police and the Ministry of Education.
“Our message to all teachers that FTA does not condone any such behaviour on the part of a teacher,” he said.
“Once you get involved in this, you are on your own. We’re not going to fight for your case. Because we offer legal services as well.”
Mr Manumanunitoga said while other cases can follow standard MoE and Civil Service guidelines, cases involving teachers and students were a “serious breach of trust” and should be treated separately with strict penalties.
“We would be setting a precedent if we didn’t nip this in the bud. And put your foot down and stand firm on a decision.”
Mr Manumanunitoga called on the ministry to treat these cases separately and take firm action.
He said FTA has repeatedly raised the issue with the permanent secretary for Education and during school and branch visits around Fiji over the last seven years.
“We emphasise on the Code of Conduct. We emphasise on the teacher’s oath, their oath, their promise made when they graduated out of teacher’s college.”
