The Ministry of Education has expressed concerns on a large number of drowning cases recently involving Fijian children and has urged Fijian parents to be vigilant and prioritise the safety of their children.
Five children, aged 3, 6, 11, 14 and 19 have lost their lives due to drowning.
Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar, mourned the loss of these young lives and urged parents to be more responsible.
Akbar says the loss of any life, especially such young lives, is always very sad, considering they could have been prevented with proper supervision.
She adds it is particularly disturbing to hear the circumstances which led to some of these drownings, including a 3-year-old without a life jacket in a boat, two brothers trying to save each other while the babysitter slept under a tree, and another child who drowned in the Olympic pool.
Akbar adds once again they reiterate the importance of parental/adult responsibility, especially in high-risk situations such as swimming.
