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Illustration of Behaviour, drug use top agenda at forum

School Chaos: Are Drugs and Disrespect the New Norm?

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The escalating behavioral issues among students and the widespread drug use in schools will be key topics at today’s ninth biennial conference of the School Management Association of Fiji. Association president Govind Singh expressed deep concern over the growing drug problem, highlighting that teachers have voiced frustrations about insufficient measures taken to combat these issues.

Teachers, who spoke anonymously, reported distressing incidents where students appeared in school visibly under the influence of drugs and displayed disrespectful behavior towards staff, including swearing and talking back. This sentiment underscores the urgency of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s earlier call for implementing measures such as surprise checks and drug testing in schools — initiatives that teachers believe have yet to materialize.

Mr. Singh pointed out that while the Association has been instrumental in establishing 98 percent of the schools in the country, attention to issues like drug use must also involve parents and the broader community. He emphasized that the root of these problems lies within the communities themselves and called for better communication and collaboration between school management and the Ministry of Education.

Historically, educational forums helped facilitate discussions on such matters, but these have been replaced with a lack of engagement that has left schools without essential support and insights into the problems affecting their students.

Additionally, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu urged parents to take responsibility by checking their children’s bags before they head to school, reinforcing the notion that combating drug use is a collective effort.

As schools confront these challenges, it is encouraging to see discussions taking place at high levels, which may lead to more effective strategies for fostering a safer and more respectful learning environment for students. Taking a proactive approach could pave the way for positive changes in both school dynamics and community involvement in addressing these pressing issues.


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