Teachers need stronger disciplinary options, school head tells CRC team

Teachers are running out of options to deal with student misconduct, with a Rakiraki school principal calling for the Constitution to support alternative disciplinary measures in schools.

Speaking during a Constitution Review Commission (CRC) consultation in Rakiraki today, Penang Sangam High School head of school Ashwinesh Sharma said the ban on corporal punishment had left schools with limited options to address serious behavioural issues.

Mr Sharma said he was not advocating for the return of corporal punishment but wanted the Constitution to provide a framework for alternative disciplinary measures that would hold students accountable for their actions.

“We want something to replace corporal punishment,” he said.

“If students commit an offence, there should be consequences. Otherwise, poor attitudes and behaviour among children will continue to increase.”

Mr Sharma told the commission that teachers were increasingly facing disrespect from students, including verbal abuse, making it harder to maintain discipline in schools.

He said the Constitution should allow for clear disciplinary measures that schools could use when dealing with serious misconduct.

While not proposing a specific solution, he suggested penalties such as fines, corrective programmes or other accountability measures could be considered as alternatives to physical punishment.

Mr Sharma said discipline remained a key part of education and warned that schools would continue to face challenges if students were not held responsible for their actions.

CRC Team One will continue its consultations next Monday at Nayavu Village Hall in Wainibuka, Tailevu while CRC Team Two will continue consultations at Garvey Park in Tavua.