Need for compassion, ethics in teaching

THE International Day of Education and Teachers’ Day dialogue heard that there’s a need for compassion and ethics in teaching.

In commemoration of the event, the Fijian teacher’s youth wing, with the support of the US Embassy youth, held a talanoa session at the Suva library, USA corner, focusing on the theme, “Learning for Lasting Peace”.

Key conversation topics at the event included how to understand transformative education for peace, how teachers may help promote peace, how to integrate peace education effectively, and how to equip students with the information and abilities needed to achieve peace.

The general secretary of the Council of Pacific Education, Neselinda Meta said the 2024 theme, “Learning for Lasting Peace,” calls for a transformative process that gives students the tools they need to acquire the fundamental information, beliefs, attitudes, abilities, and behaviours that would enable them to act as peacemakers in their communities.

She said the foundation of more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies was laid through education.

“In the face of escalating climate change, democratic erosion, persistent inequalities, growing discrimination, hate speech, violence, and conflict on a global scale, education emerges as a powerful tool to both address and prevent these challenges in the future,” she said.

Ms Meta reiterates while educators played a role in moulding children academically, parents needed to understand that “everything started from home”.

“As parents, we’re first teachers, and even though they (children) spend a significant amount of time at school we have to make room for family time.

“Life lessons taught at home will be valuable for their future, it will determine what type of adult he or she will become.

“Nowadays we have what we call in Vanuatu, the ‘look down generation’ because everyone is always on the phone and this could be a hindrance to what we’re trying to emphasise.”

FTA youth wing committee member Inoke Ledua said the talanoa session was a success and is hoping to introduce more events as such shortly.

“After seeing the outcome today, our next talanoa session could be a follow-up on what has transpired today.

“We’ll make the celebration much bigger than this and have a much bigger space to facilitate it.”

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU Ministry for Education permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca (with garland) with guests and participants during the International Day of Education and Teachers’ Day dialogue at the Lotus building in Nabua, Suva on Wednesday last week.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU Saimoni Waibuta, left, and Jone Jiuta.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU From left, Ikatonga Hingano, Shaheena Rahman and Ronik Prasad.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU From left, Mere Gina, Ministry of Education permanent secretary, Selina Kuruleca, and Torika Taoi.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU From left, Seru Ramakita, Pila Kami, James Dean and Samuela Nakalevu.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU From left, Jacqui Berrell, Johanna Gusman and Natalie Makhoul.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU Torika Taoi, left, with other participants during a talanoa session last week.