Save the Children condemns FTA’s call to reintroduce corporal punishment in schools

Save the Children Fiji has strongly condemned the recent call by the Fijian Teachers Association to reintroduce corporal punishment in schools as it has been consistently proven to lead to increased aggression, fear, and mental health issues, while also perpetuating a cycle of violence in society.

CEO Shairana Ali says this proposal is not only a step backward in the protection of children’s rights, but also a direct contradiction to global and Fiji’s evidence and standards that advocate for positive, non-violent forms of discipline.

She says corporal punishment causes long-term harm to children, both physically and psychologically, and undermines their dignity.

Ali says the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Fiji has ratified, clearly prohibits all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment and it is also contradictory to the Ministry of Education’s Child Protection Policy.

The CEO says rather than reverting to harmful practices, it is imperative that we invest in training teachers and educators in effective, compassionate, and evidence-based approaches to discipline.

She says positive discipline methods not only promote better educational outcomes, but they also foster an environment of respect and trust between students and educators, contributing to the holistic development of children.

They are urging the Fiji Teachers Association to reconsider its position and to join them in advocating for the protection and well-being of every child in Fiji. Ali adds reintroducing corporal punishment would be a grave disservice to the future of the nation’s children and their ability to learn and thrive in a safe, supportive environment.