Four primary school students have reportedly been caught smoking marijuana during a recent athletics meet and have since received counseling. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, confirmed this information yesterday.
ACP Driu has urged parents and guardians to engage in ongoing discussions about the severe consequences of drug use with their children. He noted that the students were discovered with smoking equipment in a washroom at the event, prompting security officials to intervene before police were called.
“The parents of the students were notified, and the students have undergone counseling regarding their actions,” stated ACP Driu. He emphasized the importance of parents providing continuous guidance, especially as children navigate their experimental years. Without proper support, he warned, children may seek advice from questionable sources, leading them towards harmful decisions.
In response to the incident, Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, has called for an increase in the number of counselors in schools. “This is very concerning,” Mr. Goundar commented. He highlighted the essential role counselors play in not only academic success but also in addressing behaviors and child development.
He argued that counseling services are vital and should be available in all schools. Currently, there is only one counselor assigned to a division, which is insufficient given the number of schools in the area. Goundar believes there is a pressing need to educate students about drugs and their detrimental effects, suggesting that this topic should be integrated into the school curriculum.