27,289 bullying and student assault cases recorded in schools last year

There were record cases of bullying and students being allegedly assaulted in primary and secondary schools across the country last year.

A report by the National Substance Abuse and Advisory Council obtained by Fijivillage has found that there were 27,289 cases of violence against students in schools across the country last year.

14,218 of these cases were against girls and 13,071 were against boys. 

This included cases of bullying, cyber bullying, punching, beating, slapping, swearing and name‑calling.

There were 6,594 cases of bullying, 154 cases of cyber bullying, 5,004 cases of punching, 1,021 cases where students were beaten, 2,349 cases where students were slapped, 5,894 cases of swearing and 7,287 cases of name calling.

The data in the International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Booklet was gathered through evaluation forms submitted by 796 primary and secondary schools in Fiji.

The submission rate was 87.5 percent.

Education Minister Rosy Akbar has not read the report but says there is now a Student Code of Conduct Policy being implemented by schools to deal with bullying.

Students and parents sign the Student Code of Conduct Policy which says students should not bully, harass, intimidate or discriminate any other student.

Students could get suspended or expelled if they demonstrate unacceptable student behaviour.

The alarming cases of bullying highlighted in this report has also pointed out the need for more counselors in schools to help students talk about the problems they are facing.

Akbar says, unfortunately, there is a shortage of counselors in both primary and secondary schools.

Last month, Akbar said there is a shortage of qualified counsellors due to Higher Education institutions not providing qualifications in counselling and they have also noted a lack of interest in students to become counsellors.

With the support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Education Ministry is also in the process of appointing service‑providers to meet counselling needs on a short‑term basis.

This year 20 scholarships for overseas study in specialised fields were also offered under Toppers that included counselling.

Meanwhile Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will deliver the 2019/2020 National Budget at 7.30pm Friday.

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