Fiji Strikes Back: Human Rights Commission Opposes Return of Corporal Punishment in Schools

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The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) has strongly opposed the recent suggestion by the Fijian Teachers Association to bring back corporal punishment in educational institutions. According to Commission chair Pravesh Sharma, such practices violate constitutional rights and undermine children’s entitlement to a secure and violence-free learning environment.

Sharma emphasized that corporal punishment is recognized as a form of violence that demeans children, violating their dignity and contravening the rights outlined in the Constitution of Fiji. Every person, including children, is guaranteed freedom from all forms of torture—physical, mental, or emotional—as well as from harsh or degrading treatment under Section 11 of the Constitution. Furthermore, Section 41 safeguards children from abuse, harmful practices, and violence.

The Fijian government has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), placing an obligation on the state to protect children from all forms of abuse. Article 37 of this convention prohibits any child from experiencing torture or cruel treatment, while Article 19 mandates governments to enact robust measures to safeguard children from violence.

Sharma recalled a pivotal ruling by the Lautoka High Court in 2002, declaring corporal punishment in schools unconstitutional. The Ministry of Education’s Child Protection Policy mandates that schools implement measures to shield children from abuse and stresses a zero-tolerance approach towards perpetrators of child abuse.

Despite the legal protections in place, reports of corporal punishment persist in some schools, revealing a troubling trend. Recent complaints included shocking incidents such as a student being physically assaulted by a teacher and being coerced into further violence by peers. Other complaints highlighted instances of severe verbal abuse and inappropriate punishment involving physical harm.

Sharma urged the state and stakeholders to ensure a safe educational environment that upholds dignity and respect, and that rejects violence in any form. He encouraged the adoption of positive discipline methods as alternatives to corporal punishment in both home and school settings.

This stance by the FHRADC reflects a broader commitment to protecting children’s rights and promoting a nurturing educational atmosphere. Acknowledging the challenges that remain, there is hope that this advocacy will lead to meaningful reforms and a significant shift in attitudes toward child discipline in Fiji, fostering an environment where every child can thrive without fear of violence.


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