The recent school brawls involving secondary school students in Suva, Fiji are a reflection of the deep rooted bad effects of human rights or children’s rights on the family structure.
In his written submissions to the Constitution Commission, Aisea Vunibaka, a retired revenue collector, said human rights were stopping teachers from punishing students.
“Their parents, guardians and teachers could be part of the solution, however their hands are tied up by a foreign flower, human rights,” he said.
“The only sure way of nurturing our young boys and girls is for the parents to be allowed to cane their children when it’s needed,” he submitted.
Tui Wainunu Ratu Orisi Baleitavea has also called for the reinstatement of corporal punishment.
In his submission to the Constitution Commission he said the vanua of Bua had agreed to recommend as part of their submission to reintroduce this form of disciplining children.
However Save the Children Fiji CEO Chandra Shekhar disagrees. When asked for his opinion on the matter, he said schools should get to the root of the problem rather than physically punishing students.
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