National Federation Party MP and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua has questioned the role of indigenous Fijian parents in disciplining their children following reports of alleged stoning incidents during Diwali.
In a strongly worded social media post, Ms Qereqeretabua expressed embarrassment over the behaviour of some indigenous Fijian children, including alleged attacks involving places of worship and public transport.
“INDIGENOUS FIJIAN PARENTS, WHERE ARE YOU?” she asked.
“As an Indigenous Fijian, I am deeply embarrassed about what is happening in our communities.”
Ms Qereqeretabua also raised concerns about children vandalising classrooms, questioning the values being taught at home.
“What are we teaching our children? Where is the discipline, respect and parental guidance?”
She challenged parents to reflect on whether they were spending more time on their mobile phones than supervising their children.
“PARENTS, Are your eyes more on your phones than your kids?”
The NFP MP also questioned whether parents were practising the traditional and religious values they frequently promoted.
“You proudly talk about your vanua, your lotu and your culture, but are you practising the values you claim to uphold?”
Ms Qereqeretabua also criticised calls for Fiji to be declared a Christian state, urging parents to focus instead on the behaviour and upbringing of their children.
“Sa rauta mada na viavia Christian State, look at your children and you, their teachers,” she said.
The alleged stoning incidents referenced in her latest post have not been independently verified in this report.
