School counselors must be spiritually equipped to effectively address the psychological challenges faced by teachers, according to Netani Druavesi, president of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA). His comments came after Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor Nasoni Lutunaliwa shared concerns during his sermon at the FTA’s 90th annual delegates conference in Suva.
Pastor Lutunaliwa recounted how his wife, a teacher, has been impacted by a difficult school environment. “At times she cries, not for our children but for her students,” he noted.
Druavesi emphasized the need for counselors who adopt a spiritual approach in their roles. “We used to have counselors in our schools, but currently, the FTA believes that these counselors must be spiritually filled,” he said.
He urged that in these challenging times, guidance from the word of God is essential, stating that money or academic success will not resolve the underlying issues teachers face. “We need to start from our homes; that is our first classroom,” he added.
Druavesi mentioned that the association has established policies for handling recent cases that involve teachers and students. “Our members remain part of the union until proven guilty,” he clarified. “We need to engage in dialogue, especially concerning matters involving a teacher and a student. Immediate suspension or demotion, as was the practice in previous regimes, is not the answer.”
He concluded by stating that the FTA is actively engaging with the Education Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to address these concerns.