Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Rosy Akbar is urging all heads of schools around the country to deal with serious issues and not hide them.

Ms Akbar highlighted this in her opening address during the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam Fiji conference at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka yesterday.

The two-day conference was attended by 21 head teachers and five principals including the management of the different schools that comes under the TISI Sangam Fiji.

She said there were times when serious issues were not dealt with.

“When it comes to the welfare and safety of our children, even your staff members, try not to hide serious issues,” she said.

“Sometimes heads of schools and teachers try to sweep serious issues under the carpet and after sometime, it emerges giving you a bad name. It gives us a bad name as well and we will not tolerate that.

“Let’s face the reality of the challenges that we face as educators in the 21st century.”

Ms Akbar urged the head of schools to highlight the importance of values to their students.

“Values are very important, as educators and as management, we need to role model that in terms of being fair,” she said.

“We talk about the potential of allowing the child to reach their full potential we believe in inclusive, accessible and equitable education. We have that vision as a Government.”

She also reminded the heads of schools to lead by example.

“As heads of schools we need to take the lead role in everything we do. Ensure that you spend time with your teachers, spend time in the classroom and ensure that the wellbeing of every student and teacher is maintained.”

The conference will conclude today.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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