Muniappa Gounder, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, is calling on school administrations to enforce spot checks as part of a broader strategy to tackle the issue of drug use among students. He highlighted the necessity for increased vigilance and urged parents to actively monitor what their children bring with them to school.
This appeal comes after cases were reported last week involving primary school students who were allegedly found smoking marijuana and subsequently referred to the police. Gounder emphasized the need for parents to verify the contents of their children’s school bags.
“Regular spot checks are essential. This process will help properly scrutinize students and their belongings, enabling the identification of banned items and fostering an understanding of the repercussions of drug use,” he stated.
He voiced his concern regarding the rising instances of drug-related cases, noting that while reports are frequent, there has been little effective action taken. He reinforced that spot checks are vital in combating this issue.
Gounder also called for greater collaboration with local law enforcement to enhance educational efforts in schools. “Police should actively engage with schools to inform students about the risks associated with drug use,” he added.
He pointed out that drug awareness initiatives should not be confined to a single week but instead should be an ongoing commitment. Gounder stressed the importance of education, insisting that teaching children about the dangers of drugs should be a primary concern for both educational institutions and the community.
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