Corporal punishment – DANIEL FATIAKI SUVA
I TOO have been following the public debate on this topic. I too am a parent who raised four sons and now have grandchildren of both sexes in primary and secondary schools. The speakers on both sides of the debate are plainly well-intentioned and have forceful arguments for and against the re-introduction of corporal punishment in our schools. The debate is finely balanced and I thank Mikaele Leawere for his thoughtprovoking letter (Fiji Sun 18/10). I also read Conan, Rohitesh and Selwa’s interesting letters on the same subject (FT18/10). I would merely point out that the only “Law” that l know as a Christian, which is set in stone is the 10 Commandments handed to Moses. A court judgement on the other hand, is man-made however reputable the judge, and therefore it can be changed and even over-turned. The recent SCOTUS decision that overturned the abortion case Rowe v Wade is a perfect illustration of the point. I also hear a lot about a teacher’s “Code of Conduct” and l wonder if there should also be a Student’s Code as well as a Parental Code? That way, we have a reference point for the three primary stakeholder participants in the education of our children namely, teachers, students, and their parents. Although the end goal is the same, the aspirations and expectations of each group is different. Let’s address the subject matter in an unemotional holistic way.
The rod we truly need – SEVECI TORA TACIRUA HEIGHTS
GUIDANCE, not fear, for Fiji’s children. My generation, who grew up walking miles to school, studying by kerosene lamp, and working the farm before homework, looks upon today’s youth with a mix of pride and profound concern. We succeeded not because life was easy, but because it was hard. We were disciplined, often with the cane at school and the slap at home. Many from my era now say, “It never did us any harm”, and are calling for the return of corporal punishment to cure the ills of the “screen generation”. I understand this sentiment, but I believe it is a dangerous nostalgia for a tool whose true cost we are only now understanding. We must first correct a profound misunderstanding that fuels this debate. The phrase, “Spare the rod, spoil the child”, is not a direct command from the Bible. It originates from a 17thcentury satirical poem. The verse it misquotes, Proverbs 13:24, speaks of a shepherd’s rod. A shepherd uses his rod not to brutalise his sheep, but to guide, protect, and steer them from danger. To use this verse to justify beating a child is to misinterpret a metaphor of loving guidance as one of violent punishment. True biblical discipline is about building wisdom and character, not instilling fear. Let us be clear: our success came in spite of the floggings, not because of them. Our resilience was forged by the tangible challenges of farm work, the shared struggle for an education, and the strong community values that surrounded us. The cane was a negative element in an otherwise value-rich environment. Today, we have overwhelming scientific evidence that corporal punishment actively harms children. As Fiji’s own permanent secretary for Justice, Selina Kuruleca, recently stated, it triggers a stress response that floods the brain with cortisol, shutting down learning and potentially altering healthy development. It is linked to increased aggression, mental health issues, and a cycle of violence. To ignore this evidence is to choose wilful ignorance over the wellbeing of our children. The real “rod” we need today is not one of punishment, but of guidance to steer our children away from a far more insidious threat: the unregulated digital world. The constant glow of screens is the new obstacle to their focus and character. Studies consistently show that excessive screen time is linked to the very behavioural and attention problems we lament. The solution to the damage of the virtual world is not physical violence; it is engaged parenting, mentorship, and teaching digital literacy. Instead of yearning for an outdated and harmful practice, let us build a modern, compassionate framework for discipline. Our own Fijian traditions — like Matanigasau and Ai Soro —teach us that true correction is about restoration, forgiveness, and healing broken relationships. We must equip our teachers with training in positive discipline and our parents with strategies to manage screen time, not with threats of violence. Let us honour the struggles of our past by applying their true lessons— hard work, resilience, and community—with the wisdom of the present. Our children are not softer; their world is simply more complex. The call is not to bring back the cane, but to bring forward our love, our engagement, and our commitment to guide them with a rod of wisdom, not a stick of fear.
Corporal punishment – CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIN PERTH, AUSTRALIA
ANY ass knows carrots work better than sticks.
Happy Diwali – WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA
MAY the festival of lights illuminate your life with love, peace, happiness and prosperity and your relationships glow brighter than Diwali diyas. Happy Deepawali Fiji.
Malolo on the rise – FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA
HAS team Malolo finally plotted the downfall of a rugby super giant like Nadroga? Whatever one’s opinion, the ability to defeat Nadroga at home is a show case of dedication and motivation. Congratulations to Malolo for defying the odds to secure a spot in the semi finals of the 2025 Skipper Cup Competition. Meanwhile, a highly fancied Suva side is also licking its wounds after Nadi delivered a painful blow which crushed the hopes of the men from the Capital City. But there is a bigger question. Are there any players in the 2025 Skipper Cup competition who deserve a spot in the Fijian Drua or Flying Fijians squad, in place of players who have not demonstrated improvement over the past two years? Rugby fans have their opinions and debates will continue but for now it appears that team Malolo is on the rise.
Sugar Minister – RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI
BEING the son of a successful sugar cane farmer, it is heart-breaking to see run-down (without side cover of engines at times) locomotives pulling rail carts by-passing Nadi Town and running parallel to the highway towards Sigatoka. These days, it is a novelty to hear locomotives blowing their huge horns (whistle) to caution motorists at the temple end of Nadi Town leave alone the state of the mills. I believe three years has been enough for the Sugar Minister to turn around the fortunes of a once thriving industry.
Mesmerising performance – DONALD SINGH SUVA
AFTER the Sunday service conducted by the youth ministry of Central Christian Centre concluded I told my big brother, friend and talatala Ben Serevi the following: “When the development side is better than the A team, we know the future is good.” I was referring to the powerful performance of the entire youth wing under the mentorship of talatala Waqabaca. Among several heart stopping, thought provoking, soulful and entertaining deliveries, they performed a skit on drugs and offered the solution as well. I’m no ambassador of CCC, but I believe there’s footage of the full service on FB. Drug users, parents, drug-clean people, other churches and their youth wings, people of all faiths, and essentially everyone might want to access the service and watch till the end. Well done CCC, well done Talatala Qase Rev Orisi Vuira, well done CCC youth. For the first time I didn’t use my phone from 10am to 1pm on a Sunday. It was the 19th of October.
Issue of permits – BISHAL ABHINESH JATTAN KORONIVIA RD, NAUSORI
I WRITE to express my concern regarding the manner in which the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is issuing Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) permits — particularly to businesses operating from residential areas. It is deeply disappointing that while the ministry frequently speaks about climate change at local and international forums, its actions at home often contradict those commitments. Granting ODS permits so easily, including to air-conditioning companies operating from private residences, raises serious questions about transparency, enforcement, and environmental responsibility. Many of these companies use hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, which, although not ozone-depleting, are potent greenhouse gases that significantly contribute to global warming. Fiji, as a nation already facing the severe impacts of climate change — rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and coastal erosion — cannot afford to turn a blind eye to such practices. We have made strong international commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs and promote environmentally friendly alternatives. Allowing businesses to continue using and importing such substances without proper oversight undermines these commitments and weakens our national credibility in the global fight against climate change. The ministry must strengthen its monitoring and enforcement processes, ensure that ODS permits are issued only under strict compliance with environmental and zoning regulations, and promote the transition to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants. It is also time for greater public accountability, Fijians have the right to know how many permits are being issued, to whom, and under what conditions. If we truly wish to lead by example in the Pacific, our climate action must begin at home — with integrity, transparency, and commitment.
Festival of Lights – NEELZ SINGH NELSON, NEW ZEALAND
DIWALI is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is the festival of lights: deep means “light” and avali “a row” to become “a row of lights”. Diwali is marked by four days of celebration, which literally illuminates the country with its brilliance and dazzles people with its joy. The Diwali festival occurs in late October or early November. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is marked with a different tradition. What remains constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment, and a sense of goodness. We should cherish the past, forgive and focus on the future. Let’s shine the way so family and friends prosper within life. During Diwali celebrations, the beautiful lights fighting against the darkness of the night represents the way in which wisdom will always triumph over ignorance and good will always triumph over evil. As a result, Diwali festivities encourage us to banish all evil and ignorance from our lives. On the whole, this festival is an occasion for joy, thrill and excitement. It heralds the dawn of a new year as per the Indian Hindu calendar. Let’s cerebrate in Fijian style, where unity and peace among all Fijians stay at heart. A big vinaka to all The Fiji Times staff.
Where do we go from here? – RIKASH DEO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Give me one reason why people shouldn’t leave for greener pastures? No land to own or lease without being told it’s not yours, the payments and costs associated, the no support from anywhere; how to keep people in Fiji? Then stealing and looting, the destruction of property and crime rates increasing. Even though we don’t have any wars, the war within has created such a deep gap that healing seems an impossible step. Trust and hope has gone for many years now and many people just living day to day to feed families. Where do we go from here?
Diwali, the festival of lights! – RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
AS we celebrate Diwali today, Hindus will express their joy by lighting lights and earthen diyas, decorating their houses, bursting firecrackers, and inviting loved ones to their households to share savouries. Hindus celebrate the festival of lights which symbolises the destruction of negative forces like lust, wickedness, violence, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression, and suffering. On the other hand, while we are celebrating the victory of good over evil, it is important to pay attention to the needs of the poor and needy. They need our love and assistance more than ever. Together we can join hands to make this year’s Diwali a blessed one for everyone. The spirit of sharing, caring, and loving must prevail. Just like the bright colours, which add meaning to Diwali, let’s enrich our lives with brightness and love and make Diwali meaningful. The feeling of love, peace, and happiness should brighten our hearts. Diwali is not only the festival of lights, but of joy, prosperity, knowledge, and wisdom. A physical lamp is just a symbol, but we represent the real lamp, and we must be lit up, vibrant, smiling, joyful, and full of energy. On this day, memories of yesteryears come alight as I vividly remember the excitement with which I celebrated Diwali as a child with the simplest of things. May this Diwali bring Hindus good fortune, health, and countless blessings. May the glow of diyas illuminate their lives with endless joy and prosperity. Diwali is the perfect time to create beautiful memories with your loved ones. Cherish every moment with your loved ones!
