Fiji Bus Association Calls for Respect

The Fiji Bus Association is calling on the public to be more responsible when using the bus services.

The call comes from the association's general secretary, Rohit Latchan, in response to a video showing students boarding a bus and threatening the bus checker and driver at the University of the South Pacific bus stop in Laucala Bay, went viral on Facebook.

Although it is unclear what caused the incident, the video showed a male student from a Suva school boarding the bus and flinched at the checker before abruptly telling him and the driver that he was not afraid of them.

The student later walked out of the bus a f ter the incident.

Mr Latchan said the video was an unfortunate one, which could be avoided.

He said driving wasn't an easy job, and it would be nice for commuters to drivers some level of appreciation.

“I am asking all commuters to show some appreciation for the drivers; they shouldn’t abuse drivers,” he said.

“Not only the police, the Land Transport Authority and teachers especially.

“It’s the responsibility of the teachers to see that all the students are on the bus and going home and in the morning.

“Teachers in school wait to receive them but that’s not happening anymore.”

Mr Latchan said drivers started early and returned home late.

“If there are no buses then people won’t be able to move around,” he said.

The Acting Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew, is not aware of the incident.

However, he has sent the video link to Divisional Police Commander-Central, Farasiko Matawalu.

Mr Juki believes the students featured in the video were from Dudley High School in Toorak, Suva.

Minister for Education 

The Minister for Education, Viliame Gavoka, said they would investigate the incident to determine what was needed to discourage the type of behaviour.

“It’s not tolerated and certainly not the way our young people should treat others,” he said.

“The whole community should take responsibility for our children, not only the teachers.”

Fiji Teachers Union 

Fiji Teachers Union general secretary Muniappa Goundar said there were several cases in the past where students intimidated and bullied teachers.

Having looked at the video yesterday he said it was sad to find students intimidating the very own people who made sure they were driven home.

“Something needs to be done because who knows what next; we might hear or see as such kind of bad student behaviour accelerating,” Mr Goundar said.

“Parents need to talk to their children and teach them the values such as humanity kindness and respect.”

He said the Ministry of Education and related stakeholders must find solutions to address such issues.

“To the students, I want to say act like a student and not otherwise and get oneself into trouble,” he said.

“Your parents send you to school so that you can have a better future and career.”

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