A new student support service hub was launched for the Eastern Division at Levuka Public School last month.
According to a Ministry of Education statement, the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Viliame Gavoka was chief guest at the launch.
The student support service hub provides counselling services to students who need extra support due to challenges they face.
“This is the fourth hub completed and I would like to acknowledge and thank the Australian Government for the financial and technical support provided in the setting-up of this disability friendly counselling centre which will provide counselling services for all students who need psychosocial support in the maritime zone,” Mr Gavoka said.
“I understand that the Eastern Division was hit hard by natural disasters, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the socioeconomic issues impacting livelihoods on the islands of the Lomaiviti Group are not easy to deal with.”
He said the opening of the counselling hub will help students and parents in Ovalau, and that the other islands in Lomaiviti have close access to counselling services in Levuka — as it is a trade hub of the island group.
“Data from the Substance Abuse Advisory Council in the last four years, 2020 to 2023, indicates that a total of 1599 students accessed counselling services,” he said.
“From January to December 2023, a total of 359 students accessed counselling services at our counselling centres of which 243 were males and 116 females — 66 from primary and 293 from secondary.
“The common presenting problems included violent behaviour towards others, drug intake at school, sex related offences, mental health, and other negative behaviour arising from social media use.
“Counselling sessions are recommended to take place in a safe space where children can freely and confidently share their problems without being judged or criticised.
“We are extremely happy that the Australian Government, through the Fiji Program Support Facility has been supporting the Ministry of Education in this initiative in training school counsellors, providing technical support to our team, funding of trainings, printing of student support booklet guides and setting up of four disability friendly student support services hubs.”
He says the Ministry of Education is committed to posting a full time counsellor to the hub to handle serious referral cases for schools in Ovalau and nearby islands in Lomaiviti.
“The Ministry of Education acknowledges the psychosocial and mental health challenges faced by students in schools.
“For this, the Ministry of Education is currently building the capacity to increase the number of counsellors in schools to assist students in managing their mental health.”
He said with the absence of corporal punishment in schools, the Ministry is strengthening the provision of counselling services to the students to help them address their own problems with the support of their parents and teachers.
“This is a way forward that will provide a platform for expanding this important service to the students in Fiji,” he said.
He reminded the heads of schools that it is crucial that they reach out to counsellors if they notice any signs of unfamiliar and suspecting behaviour in their students.
He thanked civil societies, faith-based organisations, and the Australian Government for the partnership in psychosocial support with the Ministry of Education.
“It is my hope that the students and parents of Ovalau and neighbouring islands in the Lomaiviti group will take advantage of this initiative and make use of the counselling services that is provided at the Levuka Hub,” he said.
The hub will provide student support services to Koro, Gau, Batiki, Nairai, Wakaya, Makogai and Motoriki islands.