Vuniwaqa: Leaders must protect those who can’t stand alone
Student leaders have a responsibility to protect those who may not be able to stand for themselves.
This was the message reiterated yesterday by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, while speaking at the Sigatoka Methodist Primary School prefect induction ceremony.
She also reminded them that it was their responsibility to maintain order and report where they didn’t have the capacity to resolve an issue to the authorities.
“Remember you must never be abusive, you will also have students who face great difficulties in their school work, sometimes as a result of what they face at home or in their personal lives, get them help where they need,” she said.
“You are after all a representative of those who cannot ask for help, you will learn and grow within your role, the promises you make here today must be upheld because they carry forward long after the congratulations and handshakes have concluded.”
Across the school, the minister said there were students from various backgrounds and different ethnicities; some belonged to different provinces across the country.
“They may speak differently than others; they may act differently from each other, they may not have the same capabilities and they all come from different social statuses,” she said.
“Your main obligation as student leaders is to ensure inclusivity and non-discrimination.
“You must treat your fellow students equally and never make decisions based on the bias of your friendships, favoritism or likeness for anyone as this will be the key to leading with integrity and fairness.”
“One of the greatest lessons I have learnt as a leader is that leadership does not occur in isolation; it occurs and succeeds because of the people around us.”
“Leadership is not about separating or being above others, it is about connecting and working with a diverse range of people, Ms Vuniwaqa said.
Choosing leaders among students, she said, was a great way of enhancing the leadership skills for students, which developed their individual responsibility and promoted independence.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
Feedback: arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj
