Teachers and parents have been warned to monitor their children’s internet use, especially during the school holidays.
“Be vigilant about what your children access from the internet because not all information is factual,” Minister of Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy said.
The Minister made these comments at Bulileka Sanatan Dharm Primary School in Labasa last Friday.
He opened the school’s computer laboratory, put the foundation of the school library and commissioned upgrading works in the school.
He told the teachers that students could access information about the world from the laboratory.
“I understand with the latest technology like text messages, Facebook, movies and other social media websites, our students are under enormous pressure and we need to protect them,” he said.
“Children between the ages of five to 18 are hungry for knowledge and that is why we need to guide them to access the right materials.”
He commended the leadership of headteacher Pranesh Sharma who had joined the school two years ago.
Mr Reddy said the Ministry of Education needed headteachers who lead by example and helped develop their schools.
“No one can be a good leader by reading textbooks.
“Leadership is important and we need leaders who can show the right direction,” he said.