STUDENTS ENLIGHTENED ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Close to 400 students and teachers from schools in the Northern Division received human rights education through the Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission’s outreach initiative.
The commission’s education advocacy team visited Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Dreketi Central College, Vatulawa Primary School, Lutukina District Primary School, Batirilagi District Primary School, Seaqaqa District Primary School and Nasarawaqa Primary School in Bua, where students and teachers were introduced to human rights values such as human dignity, equality and principles of non-discrimination.
The sessions were interactive allowing students to engage with the facilitators during the awareness exercise.
Issues raised included the use of corporal punishment in schools and at home despite it being abolished; bullying in schools, child abuse and right to education.
The students were informed about their rights and responsibilities that come with it and the role and the functions of the commission
and how they could access its services.
One of the schools visited was Lutukina District Primary School, which is about one hour 40 minutes drive from Labasa to Naua Road via Lutukina Village. Head teacher Inoke Biaunisala said: “Lutukina District Primary School is one of the fortunate schools, located in the interior of Dreketi, Macuata, to have received human rights education.”
He thanked the commission for its initiative in visiting rural schools, particularly in the interior and highlands of Vanua Levu. Other schools visited during the outreach exercise also expressed gratitude to the commission for having human rights education sessions.
Human rights education materials were also distributed in the schools.
School visitations are integral to the commission’s education and advocacy initiative,
It is in line with its constitutional mandate to educate the public including children on the rights and freedoms recognised in the Bill of Rights in the Fijian Constitution.