In response to the rising cases of drug use and new HIV infections within the school system, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is urging all stakeholders to take collective responsibility in supporting the mental health and well-being of teachers.
Commission chair Pravesh Sharma stated that the well-being of educators is essential for maintaining a productive and nurturing environment for students. He emphasized that teachers play a crucial role in developing an inclusive and resilient education system, and it is vital for the State, teacher unions, school management, and parents to recognize and support teachers’ mental health and psychosocial well-being.
“There is a child protection policy in place for our children; perhaps, there is a need for similar guidelines, strategies, and policies for teachers’ protection as well,” Sharma said.
He added that teachers need capacity-building training to enhance their knowledge in dealing with students facing drug addiction, understanding disciplinary procedures, and counseling students found with drugs in the classroom. Additionally, teachers should be educated on handling children with HIV and other health issues to prevent discrimination.
“The State needs to invest in its teachers by not only providing resources but also training them to manage crises in classrooms,” Sharma continued. “Teachers are already dealing with job pressures such as large class sizes, limited resources, and high expectations from parents and school management. Now, with the increasing numbers of drug and HIV cases, their mental health is at risk.”
Sharma also mentioned that staff accommodation is an ongoing issue, as the Commission seeks to ensure teachers’ right to live with dignity. He called for collective support for teachers, suggesting that accessible mental health resources, including counseling services, support groups, and stress management workshops, should be specifically tailored to the needs of educators.
Furthermore, he highlighted the need to review teachers’ workloads to ensure they have a manageable number of students and sufficient planning time.