The president of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), Netani Druavesi, has ignited a heated debate by calling for the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools. This proposal has drawn sharp criticism from various community leaders, including Nilesh Lal, executive director of Dialogue Fiji, who describes it as a concerning sign of societal regression.
Lal emphasizes the detrimental impact of corporal punishment, labeling it as child abuse. He argues that it is unacceptable for children to receive physical punishment from authority figures after being raised in nurturing, non-violent households. According to him, only unfeeling parents would tolerate others striking their children. He cites research indicating that corporal punishment is counterproductive and contributes to a cycle of violence in society. Such practices are linked to increased antisocial behavior, defiance, and hindered academic performance, as fear-based environments impede children’s learning abilities.
Moreover, Lal warns that corporal punishment can lead to severe long-term consequences, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and challenges in forming relationships in adulthood. He advocates for constructive, non-punitive approaches to discipline, which have been shown to produce better outcomes both behaviorally and academically.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by alarming statistics from the Fiji Police Force, which reported 324 cases of child sexual abuse in the first half of the year. In addition, Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, revealed that a staggering five out of every six children in Fiji experience abuse or neglect.
Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission chairperson Pravesh Sharma has also condemned the FTA’s call to revive corporal punishment, highlighting that such acts violate children’s rights to a safe and supportive educational environment. He points out that Fiji has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, obligating the nation to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence.
This controversy opens a crucial dialogue about child discipline in educational settings, encouraging a re-evaluation of how discipline is applied in schools and pushing for holistic approaches that prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of children.
In light of these discussions, there is hope for a shift toward more compassionate and constructive methods of discipline in Fiji’s education system, prioritizing children’s rights and well-being over punitive measures. This evolution could pave the way for a healthier society where children can learn and develop in a nurturing environment.
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