Press Release : Corporal Punishment
Recently a report through Fiji's Media of Students in a school in Vanua Levu been beaten by a teacher has come to our attention. We have also received a press release from the Ministry of Education at the hand of the Interim Minister Filipe Bole.
The Young Peoples Concerned Network [YPCN] categorically denounces all acts of intimidation and violence faced by young people in Fiji daily. Students in Primary and Secondary Schools throughout Fiji face remarkable challenges and constantly we must ask ourselves if our schools are truly safe.
Corporal Punishment in schools is a human right violation and deprives people from better non-violent disciplinary measures. It is also an act that reinforces power over individuals and is a barbaric tool used to cope with stress. Teachers when hitting students in time breed violent citizens and continue to contribute to a society that is trapped in a cycle of violence. One thing that people are unaware of, is that corporal punishment is in fact TORTURE. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly spells out that all people regardless of age, ethnicity and religion have the right to be free from torture or any form of violence (Article 5 UNDHR) and article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Teachers are Civil Servants and act on behalf of the state, when they TORTURE students and emotionally or mentally scar their pupils they are participating in a crime and deserve to be in Jail and must undergo counselling.
The YPCN salutes the bravery of the Interim Minister for Education and his Ministry for standing against corporal punishment. He is true in also stating the reasons why teachers use corporal punishment as a form of stress relief. We wonder how the Ministry and Stakeholders in the area of Education deal with these growing issues that propel people to commit such abuses against children. All Children have the right to a quality education that effectively prepares the child to participate responsibly in any community which fits into the The Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 27 and article 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Any civil servant (like teachers) who abuse children, even through the use of corporal punishment must be taken to task. We advise parents and students to take this case to the Police and have the Law deal with teachers who abuse students. The time to stand up against corporal punishment and all forms of abuse in our schools is now!
Vinaka
Peter Waqavonovono
YPCN - President