Tui Cakau Favours Raising Children the Military Way

To counter the rising rate of ill-discipline in the nation, Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has advocated the reinstating of the teachings of military discipline for children.

Ratu Naiqama said there have been a high number of children leaving their respective villages across the country and living on the streets.

He highlighted this while speaking to chiefs and district representatives at the Cakaudrove Provincial Council meeting in Taveuni yesterday.

“Discipline and good behaviour have become the biggest challenges for us to maintain,” Ratu Naiqama said.

“We should bring back that idea of raising our children the military way.

“There’s a lot of our children resorting to stay in the streets while we have those who sell their bodies.”

Ratu Naiqama asked chiefs and representatives what they could do to solve the ongoing issue that is currently evident.

He said it must be of the essence that they talked about such issues so they could be addressed.

“Bring back the military upbringing for our children; I want it,” Ratu Naiqama said.

“There’s an increase in crime while there’s less farming; what are we doing?

Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. Photo: Jone Salusalu

“There are no farms for most of our children, and these are school dropouts. What do they do? And where do they end up? The street, let’s talk about this; address issues like these here.”

Ratu Naiqama also challenged the chiefs and representatives to use their influence and their power to address such issues for the betterment of everyone.

He said the issue of drugs could also be seen as a contributing factor to the problem Fiji was currently facing.

“Encourage our children to stay in school; encourage them to go to universities,” Ratu Naiqama said.

“Education and discipline are the main focal points of change.”

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