School heads can stop students from playing during recess and lunch time - Akbar

Heads of schools can make a decision to stop students from running and playing during recess and lunch time if the safety and welfare of the students is at risk.

Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar has clarified this after some parents of a Suva based school said that they have been informed of a No Running Policy which includes no playing during recess and lunch time.

Akbar says school heads can make this decision if they feel that the safety and welfare of its students is at risk.

The parents are questioning this rule.

They say the response given to them was that the children have organized sports activities two days a week which is sufficient.

It was explained to the parents that this is a Ministry Policy and the teachers discourage or disallow the children playing during recess and lunch breaks as the disorganized play cannot be controlled by the teachers and injuries commonly occur.

The parents were further advised that the individual teachers are liable should the parents choose to take legal action for the injury.

When questioned, Akbar they do not have a blanket rule to restrict children's movement in schools but schools may decide safety measures for the children.

She says they expect their teachers to be supervising children during recess and lunch breaks to avoid any mishaps.