Don't jail parents for kids missing school

Fining or jailing parents whose children miss school is not the answer, Pacific Polytech chairperson Dr Ganesh Chand told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights yesterday.

The Education Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes fines of up to $2000 or up to one year in jail for parents who fail to send their children to school.

The provision has drawn concern from several education stakeholders since it was reported last week.

Dr Chand said punishing parents through the courts was too heavy-handed and would not solve the real problem.

"You can't put them to jail or fine them $2000 or $20,000, whatever it is. No, that's not the way to go," he said.

He said he had seen school-age children roaming his Raiwaqa neighbourhood during school hours, and when he spoke to them, many said their parents were simply away.

Dr Chand said a better approach would be counselling, guidance and community-based intervention rather than criminal penalties written into law.

"There has to be another intervention mechanism, and that mechanism should not be prescribed in the law," he said.

Dr Chand’s comments add to growing concern over the provision.

The Education Commission previously described the penalty as “too harsh”, while the Fijian Teachers Association recommended it be halved to $1000.

The Fiji Council of Social Services has also warned that vulnerable families need support, not punishment.