Muniappa Gounder, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, is calling on school administrations to implement random inspections as part of a broad strategy to combat drug use among students. He highlighted the necessity for increased vigilance, urging parents to closely monitor what their children bring to school.
This appeal follows an incident last week in which primary school students were reported to the police for allegedly using marijuana. Gounder stated, “Parents need to check what their children are taking to school.” He suggested regular spot checks to thoroughly examine students and their belongings, which would help to identify banned items and foster an atmosphere where students recognize the repercussions of drug possession at school.
Expressing his worries about the rising number of drug-related incidents, he remarked, “There are so many cases, yet nothing significant is being done. Spot checks are crucial in this fight.” Gounder advocates for a greater collaboration with local law enforcement to heighten awareness in educational settings.
“Law enforcement should regularly patrol schools to inform students about the risks associated with drug use,” he added. He emphasized that drug awareness should not be confined to a single week, but rather should be an ongoing initiative.
Moreover, Gounder underscored the critical role of education, asserting that it is essential for schools and communities to prioritize informing children about the detrimental effects of drugs.
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