Ali calls for harsher penalties for abuse by teachers or students under Education Act

The headteacher of Toko Sanatan Primary School in Tavua, Gulshad Ali has highlighted the need to revise Section 31C of the Education Act 1966, which currently states that any person who inflicts abuse can be fined $200.

Ali says this is inadequate and not fully addressed in the Act.

Ali raised this concern during the education consultation in Tavua where he suggested that the clause be amended to specify that any person, including students, as there have been issues of students assaulting teachers, whether verbal or physical, should be guilty of an offence and subject to a stronger penalty.

He says a $200 fine is not enough and proposed an increased penalty of $2,000 or six months imprisonment for those who fail to pay.

Ali also emphasised that if the offender is a student, they should be expelled immediately from the school, saying such behaviour cannot be tolerated.

The public consultation of the review of the Education Act 1966 will continue on Monday in Sigatoka.

The team will be in Keyasi Secondary School from 10am to 12pm, and they will move to Nahigatoka Village Hall from 2pm to 4pm.