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Fiji Time: 2:57 AM on Saturday 25 May

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Don't spare the rod

Maciu Malo
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

NADI College head boy Ratu Inia Dawai says teachers should have the right to administer corporal punishment to students.

He said this while addressing the Constitution Commission in Nadi yesterday.

"Students are taking advantage of this law and indiscipline has risen in schools," said Ratu Inia.

"Teachers should be allowed to give corporal punishment as this will improve the standard of education and also the quality of exam results.

"Nowadays students can do anything they want in school knowing the teachers cannot punish them. I would say that students are sitting on the teachers' head."

Ratu Inia said some teachers had been admitted to hospital because of high blood pressure.

He said the Great Council of Chiefs should be re-established but the President must be chosen by the people.

"We need the GCC because the chiefly system is the identity of the iTaukei and we are known by who our chiefs are," he said.

"The constitution should also include a law in which students who have lost their parents are assisted by the government.

"Lastly, Sunday should be declared a day of worship for all religious organisations."