Villages in the Magodro District of the Ba Highlands have shown strong support for reintroducing corporal punishment in schools. This viewpoint emerged during an Education Bill consultation held yesterday in Bukuya Village, with Turaga ni Koro Iliavi Lewaravu advocating for the method as an effective means of discipline for iTaukei students.
Lewaravu emphasized the unique challenges faced by their community, located deep within Ba, and acknowledged the government’s effort to engage with them on this sensitive topic. He argued that children in their area respond better to physical discipline, stating, “Our children will only learn if they listen, and most of them do not listen to us parents or teachers, so the best way is to reintroduce corporal punishment.”
He pointed to observations from the past, noting the behavioral changes in youths who were in school prior to the abolishment of corporal punishment 16 years ago. His comments reflect a deep concern among parents regarding the current educational discipline methods.
The response from Magodro District has been described as overwhelmingly supportive, according to Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights. He noted the enthusiasm for the three bills under discussion and the desire for more direct engagement with the government.
The community is hopeful that the recent consultation will mark the beginning of a series of visits from the coalition government, allowing them to voice their needs and perspectives more regularly. Additional consultations are scheduled to continue today, indicating an ongoing dialogue on educational practices and community values. As these discussions progress, it remains essential to balance traditional perspectives with contemporary educational standards to ensure the well-being and development of students in the region.
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