National Federation Party President Pio Tikoduadua today shared his concerns with the Education Ministry about sexually explicit graffiti in the school toilets.
During the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Tikoduadua asked the Head of National Education Service Delivery Timoci Bure about what the Ministry was doing about this.
Tikoduadua says he has witnessed sexually explicit drawings in the toilets of major schools, particularly for boys. He says he believes some of these drawings can lead to related activities.
Tikoduadua also asked what the Education Ministry is doing to actively monitor students access to pornographic material in boarding schools.
He says he asked the question because they know there have been instances in the past where harassment cases have been recorded by students themselves.
Tikoduadua says he is referring in particular to the students who have been involved in sexual activities in the school.
In response to Tikoduadua's questions, Bure said the Ministry of Education has a policy on the use of mobile phones by students in schools.
He says they also work with parents to ensure students coming to boarding institutions do not bring with them mobile phones.
Bure said with regards to Tikoduadua's concerns about sexually explicit graffiti in school toilets, school heads and the administrators of the school are obligated to move around and inspect those facilities daily and make sure they are up to the standard.
He says they have also spoken to heads of schools and teachers on the importance of understanding that all places in the school are classrooms.
Bure says he hopes schools will be able to address those graffiti issues with their students during the school assembly.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence is taking virtual submissions on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
