Muniappa Gounder, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, is calling on school management to conduct spot checks as part of a broader effort to combat drug use among students. He highlighted the critical need for heightened awareness and encouraged parents to take an active role in ensuring their children do not bring prohibited items to school.
Gounder’s comments come in the wake of a situation where several primary school students were referred to law enforcement last week for allegedly using marijuana. He stressed the necessity for parents to inspect what their children are carrying to school, asserting, “Spot checks should be conducted regularly to ensure that everything and everyone is scrutinised. This approach would identify prohibited items and reinforce a culture where students understand the consequences of bringing such items to school.”
Expressing concern about the increasing prevalence of drug-related incidents, he noted, “There are so many cases, yet nothing significant is being done. Spot checks are crucial in this fight.” He also advocated for greater involvement from local law enforcement officials to promote drug awareness in schools.
“Disciplined forces should actively patrol schools to educate students about the dangers of drug use,” he stated, adding that drug awareness initiatives must not be limited to a single week but should be an ongoing commitment.
Emphasizing the role of education, Gounder affirmed that teaching children about the dangers of drugs should be a paramount concern for both schools and communities.
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