In response to the increasing instances of drugs infiltrating the school system and new HIV cases, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission urges all stakeholders to uphold the mental health and well-being of teachers.
Commission chair Pravesh Sharma emphasized that the well-being of educators is essential for maintaining a productive and nurturing environment for students. He highlighted the critical role teachers play in creating an inclusive and resilient education system and stressed the importance of support from the State, teacher unions, school management, and parents towards teachers’ mental health and psychosocial well-being.
“There is a child protection policy in place, and perhaps we need similar guidelines, strategies, and policies for teachers’ protection,” Sharma suggested. He stressed the necessity for teachers to undergo training to better respond to student issues related to drug addiction, disciplinary procedures, and counseling for students found with drugs in the classroom.
Sharma also indicated the importance of educating teachers on how to handle students with HIV and other health issues within the context of discrimination. “The State needs to invest in its teachers not just through resources, but by training them in crisis management within classrooms,” he said.
Acknowledging the pressures teachers face, including large class sizes, limited resources, high expectations from parents and school management, Sharma noted that the current challenges are further compounded by the rising numbers of drug and HIV cases, which put teachers’ mental health at risk.
Highlighting the issue of staff accommodation, Sharma stated that the Commission is addressing concerns regarding teachers’ right to live with dignity. “It is our collective responsibility to support our teachers. Providing accessible mental health resources, such as counseling services, support groups, and stress management workshops tailored to educators’ needs, is one of the strategies,” he added.
Furthermore, Sharma called for a review of teachers’ workload to ensure they have a manageable number of students and adequate planning time.