Education

Principal suspended for naming student

April 23, 2021 5:12 am

The Principal of a Suva school has been suspended yesterday afternoon for releasing the name of a Year 9 student who tested positive for COVID-19.

The Head of School had emailed all teachers informing them that the student had COVID-19 and everyone needed to come in for testing.

Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar confirms the individual has been suspended from duties until further notice.

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Akbar says it is rather unfortunate that the details of the student had been released and is now circulating on social media.

She also says the Ministry should always strive to protect the interest of all Fijian children, reminding the public to be mindful of the sensitivity surrounding the issue.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr James Fong also weighed in on the privacy issue and made an emotional plea for Fijians to stop victimising patients.

“I find it very disappointing that it has been circulated like this. I wish that people have more sense and we would be a little bit more caring than we would at least demonstrate love for everybody and not be this stupid.”

Dr Fong reiterated the need to eradicate the culture of stigmatization as it can put the entire nation at risk.

He adds that the stigmatization of COVID-19 victims has very real consequences on patients.

The Permanent Secretary says Fijians should support each other and help the Ministry in containing the virus instead of victimizing patients.