A school principal says students are becoming so engrossed and influenced by social media that they are losing sight of moral and religious values.

Gospel High School principal Immanuel Prasad made the comment at the opening of the Bible Quiz Competition at the Samabula school on Saturday.

Mr Prasad said as an ex-student of Gospel High School, he was among the last batch of students who participated in the Bible Quiz competition in the 1980s.

“When I became principal, I thought why don’t we revive those things apart from secular activities? And why don’t we use something for our children that is biblically controlled?

“The influence of social media has caused a decline in the learning abilities of students in schools in Fiji.

“To encourage a better learning experience one has to read, listen, speak and write.”

This, he said, was made possible through GHS scripture lessons.

To go a step further, Mr Prasad devised a strategy which would involve his students taking part in a religious quiz competition.

Also, Mr Prasad added that this sort of quiz competition would build a healthy relationship with other high schools.

“We have to build a camaraderie with other schools on a religious basis as well, fostering a good relationship with others is equally important,” he added.

The advantage of this quiz would encourage the students to read their Bible and improve their English as well.

The winner of this first interschool bible quiz was Gospel High School with 53 points, Yat Sen Secondary School at second place with 49 points and Adi Cakobau School at the third place with 48.5 points.

Mr Prasad said Gospel planned to hold another one next year and even on a media platform to inform and educate the younger generation of the importance of Bible study in their everyday lives.

Principal of Gospel High School Immanuel Prasad (first from left) with the school captains of the Bible Quiz Competition at Gospel High School in Samabula, Suva on July 21,2018. Photo: Sheenam Chandra.

Participation

There were 12 schools in this competition: Gospel High School, Adi Cakobau School, Marist Brothers High School, Yat Sen Secondary School, Jai Narayan College, Assemblies of God Secondary School, Ratu Sukuna Memorial School, Suva Grammar High School, Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, John Wesley College, Gospel School for the Deaf and Samabula Primary School.

Edited by Epineri Vula

Feedback:  sheenam.chandra@fijisun.com.fj