The Ministry of Education National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC) is using the school holidays to hold talks with heads of school and managers from the maritime islands.

National substance council chief executive officer Manoa Senikarawa said he workshop was an avenue to highlight and discuss drug issues, stress management, anger management, communication skills, adolescent reproductive health and discipline in schools.

Mr Senikarawa said the workshop at Nasinu Secondary School was a strong platform because most maritime schools were usually left out due to their geographical location when information is disseminated.

“It is difficult to reach them as much as it is difficult to give them the same information,” Mr Senikarawa said.

“There have been issues like drugs, stress, communication skills, adolescence reproductive health and discipline,” he said.

“These are all important issues for the ministry and its staff, this workshop hopes to inform, educate and prepare head of schools, teachers and managers when such issues are raised in their scope of duty.”

The weeklong workshop has 155 maritime schools attending with some from the Viti Levu rural schools also attending.

Maritime islands including Lau, Kadavu, Lomaiviti, Cikobia Island in Macuata, Cakaudrove, Yasawa and Malolo are attending.

“We are starting off with a new Government financial year so all the things that need to be rolled out and the aim is to disseminate it to the people on the ground,” Mr Senikarawa said.

“The maritime schools are not normally visited due to the logistical operations so by bringing them together we are ensuring that the message is disseminated to the grass roots,” he said.

It is in two sessions, the day session is from 8:30am to 4:30pm and the evening session is from 8pm to 9:30pm.

The workshop ends on Friday.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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