'Consider the family situation before penalising parents'

Parents struggling to send their children to school should not be punished under the proposed Education Bill, the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) says.

FCOSS programme manager Josaia Tokoni told Parliament's Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights yesterday that the context of each family's situation must be considered before penalties are imposed.

The proposed bill makes education compulsory and allows courts to fine parents up to $2000 or jail them for up to 12 months if their children do not attend school.

When committee chairperson Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure asked whether FCOSS agreed with criminalising parents, Mr Tokoni said: "It has to be, you know, in different context. To be contextualised."

Opposition MP Jone Usamate then asked directly: "Do you think if parents can't send their children to school, whether parents should be punished?"

Mr Tokoni said vulnerable families needed support, not punishment.

"We identify that there are certain limitations due to resourcing and also the availability of services, especially in remote and rural areas further from towns and city centres," he said.

He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, over 7700 families with children needed emergency cash assistance, with most being unemployed, self-employed or having reduced earnings.

"Additionally, 3029 potential beneficiaries reported being part of single-parent family," Mr Tokoni said.

"These families require targeted support, not just responsibility placing, to enable their children to access and succeed in education."

FCOSS recommended the bill include an expanded definition of vulnerable and marginalised groups to help identify families needing assistance before penalties are considered.

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