Members of the Fijian Teachers Association were today reminded not to inflict corporal punishment on their students.

Speaking at the FTA Annual Delegates Conference in Suva, Education Minister Rosy Akbar revealed that most teachers in the past were terminated for carrying out corporal punishment.

Responding to the comments of FTA’s President, Netani Druavesi in regard to 33 teachers’ contracts being terminated by the Permanent Secretary of Education – the minister clarified the reasons.

“I know sometimes we teachers are not in a position to deal with disciplinary actions so please walk away from that. You not even allowed to touch a child. And once we receive a complaint of corporal punishment, we have to investigate and in many cases it’s a simple termination for you.”

The Minister says there’s a zero tolerance for this sort of practice and the ministry will be engaging Civil Society Organizations to assist teachers with counselling.

Teachers were also urged to have a positive attitude towards their work and to raise issues directly with the Ministry rather than on social media platforms.