The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre strongly condemns any form of corporal punishment in schools and reiterates that violence against children can never be justified under the guise of discipline.
They say there is no evidence that corporal punishment leads to better discipline or improved behaviour.
Instead, it normalises violence and reinforces harmful cycles that can extend into adulthood.
They say corporal punishment is not only harmful to a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing, it is also inconsistent with Fiji’s legal and human rights obligations.
FWCC says children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence and this protection must be upheld in every space, especially in schools, where children should feel safe, supported and respected.
They say under the Child Welfare Act 2010, teachers are recognised as mandatory reporters.
They say this places a clear legal and ethical duty on educators to identify, report and prevent harm against children.
They say teachers are entrusted with the care and protection of students and any breach of this responsibility must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
FWCC says acts of violence by those in positions of authority are not only a violation of that trust but a failure of duty.
Fiji is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires the State to take all appropriate measures to protect children from physical or mental violence.
FWCC says corporal punishment directly undermines this commitment and sends the wrong message about how conflict and behaviour should be addressed.
FWCC emphasises that assault against vulnerable persons, particularly children, must never be minimised or excused.
They further say schools must remain safe environments where children can learn and develop without fear.
FWCC calls on the Government, and all relevant ministries (including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection,and the Ministry of Justice) to ensure that existing protections for children are fully implemented and enforced.
