between THE LINES
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
It appears some teachers are still struggling to let go of an old practice – to use the stick for discipline.
Recently, in Savusavu, the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Rosy Akbar, made a surprise visit to a school and could not believe her eyes. A teacher was herding students into a classroom with a big stick.
She reminded the teachers that corporal punishment as a method to instill discipline in schools was prohibited.
There is zero tolerance on it. She told school heads to put a stop to it if it was happening in their schools. She said people were losing their jobs because of corporal punishment.
“Inform your teachers not to inflict corporal punishment.”
The ministry will be sending circulars to remind teachers as part of an ongoing awareness campaign.
‘EAR PULLING’
It has come to the attention of parents at a school in the central division that some teachers are still pulling students’ ears or instructing them to kneel and hold their ears as a form of punishment. This is not allowed.
WHAT PLASTIC BAN?
Although single use plastic bags have been banned from January 1 this year, they are still in circulation.
Some fish vendors at the Labasa Fish Market are even selling the bags for $1 each. Some shops are also using thicker bags. But they are all plastic bags.
Are we serious? A ban is a ban. But some vendors and shopkeepers are getting away with breaking the law.
Can we get the enforcers to go out and do their job? Otherwise this plastic ban will quickly turn into a farce.
RESPECT IN A RENTAL
Tenants who are based in the same building are supposed to respect each other.
In this commercial building, one of them has been engaged in activities that are disturbing to others.
Despite complaints to the landlord, very little appears to have been done. And no wonder, the tenant pays the highest rent.
DELAYED PAY
Some teachers are complaining they have not received their pay. They need to check whether they had filled in their details online like everyone should have done and whether their posts have been confirmed.
POLICE OR SECURITY GUARDS?
Why were two Police officers supervising shoppers going in and out of a shop in Suva this week?
The job should have been done by security guards.