Fiji Times, 1 September 2006

Methodists support corporal punishment

By Reijeli Kikau and Solomoni Biumaiono

Nasoni Valu of Nabouwalu, Bua is flanked by ReverendSakiusa Kuruduadua, left, and Reverend Sakiusa Vakadewatabuaduring the meeting in Bau yesterday.
Photograph By: Sitiveni Moce

THE Methodist Church in Fiji endorses the use of corporalpunishment in its schools because it believes it is necessary forthe control of children who misbehave.

Church assistant general secretary Reverend TuikilakilaWaqairatu said the church was against the intention by the Savethe Children Fund to totally abolish the use of corporalpunishment.

"The church opposes the abolishment of corporalpunishment because the church was not consulted on the issue andit should be understood that the church represents thepredominant group who know of the effective use of corporalpunishment," he said.

He was speaking at the church's annual conference on BauIsland yesterday.

He said the church also believed in disciplining the childrenwith love which is based on the Bible from the book of Proverbs29; 15.

Mr Waqairatu said the motion, which was tabled yesterday,caused quite a debate among the members and most of them did notagree to the abolishment.

"We are looking at the total discipline of Fijianchildren because it is too quick to withdraw corporal punishment.

"Corporal punishment has a position with the way of thelife of the developing nations like the third world countrieslike Fiji. We see the authority of parents at home when there iscorporal punishment," he said.

Mr Waqairatu said the increase in other social problemsincluding crimes could be caused by the lack of discipline athome and lack of spiritual life in the home combined with verypoor educational background.

"The child does not know what is the best way for him infuture, the parents have lived the life of a child, youth and asadults and they know the direction and when the child should bedisciplined."

He said it was important that when punishment was given, itmust be accompanied with clear and good explanation and the childshould know why they were being punished.

The Fijian Teachers Association supported the stance taken bythe Methodist Church and said that a degree of corporalpunishment was still needed in schools.

Association general secretary Maika Namudu said his union hadalways maintained that corporal punishment should still be usedin schools.

"However, we say that only the headteacher or theprincipal should be allowed to dish out corporal punishment andwe do not condone slapping or the use of sticks," Mr Namudusaid.

Another teachers' union the Fiji Teachers Union said theposition adopted by the Methodist Church held no merit because itwas unconstitutional.

FTU general secretary Agni Deo Singh said corporal punishmenthad been outlawed anddeclared illegal in the education system after a high court ruling.