A concerned school teacher from the Western Division has raised alarm over the growing issue of teacher burnout, citing overwhelming workloads and pressure from parents and guardians regarding students' academic and personal development.
Speaking during a school consultation held in Ba, the teacher emphasized the urgent need for a Teacher Protection Policy to safeguard educators from emotional and verbal abuse.
The teacher, from Tavua Primary School, stated that many teachers are silently suffering from emotional strain and are at risk of mental and emotional breakdowns.
In response, a representative from the Ministry of Education acknowledged that teacher protection had been suggested during one of their consultations and confirmed that the Ministry is considering these recommendations seriously.
The representative also referred to Section 31C of the 1966 Act, which allows for a $200 fine to be imposed on any individual found guilty of inflicting abuse on teachers.
School Head Teacher for Toko Sanatan Primary School Gulshad Ali says that under the current law they should include students explicitly in the clause alongside any person, as potential offenders.
Ali says there is a need to define abuse more clearly and broadly to cover both verbal and physical forms and if a student or any person abuses a teacher verbally or physically, they should be guilty of a criminal offence and fined $2,000, or face six months imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
He says if the offender is a student, they should be expelled.
Ali stresses that the protection of teachers is essential as abuse of teachers creates a hostile educational environment.
The consultation will resume in Sigatoka on Monday.
The Education Act consultation will then be held from 10am to 1pm and then from 3pm to 6pm next Tuesday at Albert Park Lower Hall in Suva.
It will then move to FNU Nasinu Campus from 10am to 1pm and then from 3pm to 6pm at Nausori Parish Hall next Wednesday.
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