The National Federation Party says the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro is misrepresenting section 113 of the Electoral Act by imposing restrictions on the use of school halls for political meetings.
NFP General Secretary, Kamal Iyer says section 113(4) prohibits campaign activity inside a public office, it does not say “all schools”.
He says itbdoes not say “public infrastructure”.
Iyer adds it also does not say every community, religious or organisation owned school becomes Government property simply because Government pays the teachers.
Iyer says Government may pay teachers and regulate education standards but that does not give the Minister the right to behave as though every school compound in Fiji constitutes a public office.
The General Secretary says policy that requires school management committees to seek approval from the Permanent Secretary before allowing lawful meetings outside school hours is excessive, controlling and undemocratic.
He says the Minister’s logic is warped.
Iyer says if Radrodro's argument is that political activity in a school is illegal under section 113, then approval from the Permanent Secretary cannot suddenly make it legal.
The General Secretary questions why should school management committees, churches, religious organisations, education societies and community bodies need the Permanent Secretary’s approval to use their own school halls and facilities outside school hours.
Iyer says these schools are not the personal property of any individual and many of them were built, maintained and paid for by communities over generations.
He says they belong to the organisations and communities that established them.
The General Secretary says the NFP will comply with the Electoral Act but they will not accept a Minister twisting section 113, frightening school communities, and using Ministry policy to claim authority over facilities that Government does not own.
He further says that school communities are not colonies of the Ministry of Education.
Iyer stressed that the Minister should read the law properly, respect school management committees, and withdraw his directive immediately.
We have sought comments from the Education Minister.
