In response to the rising cases of drug infiltration in school systems and new HIV cases, 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 emphasized that the well-being of educators is crucial for maintaining a productive and nurturing environment for students.
Sharma highlighted that teachers play a vital role in building an inclusive and resilient education system, and it’s essential 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 suggested.
He noted that teachers should undergo capacity-building training to enhance their ability to respond to students with drug addiction problems, understand disciplinary procedures, and counsel students found with drugs in the classroom.
Sharma also mentioned that teachers need education on handling children with HIV and other health issues in the context of discrimination.
“The State needs to invest in its teachers not only by providing resources but also by training them to handle crisis management in classrooms,” Sharma stated.
He pointed out that teachers already face significant job pressures, including large class sizes, limited resources, high expectations from parents and school management, and now the alarming issues of drugs and HIV cases, which threaten their mental health.
Sharma highlighted that staff accommodation is currently one of the issues being addressed by the Commission concerning teachers’ right to live with dignity.
“It is our collective responsibility to support our teachers. One strategy could be providing accessible mental health resources, including counseling services, support groups, and stress management workshops tailored specifically for educators,” Sharma added.
He also emphasized the need to review teachers’ workloads to ensure they have a manageable number of students and sufficient planning time.