Teachers' College

Students Strike: Trouble In Fiji Teachers' College

From a Correspondent lie “strike” of students at inu Teachers College, near

a, in April, was something

e than a deplorable incident lin the framework of Fiji’s inistration. also was a striking example of how difficult it is to restore r and discipline in a small com ity, whether a college or a try, once constituted authority weakened, and the forces of dis • run free. e teachers’ training college is properly regarded in Fiji—as iy other similar country—as a important and significant insti i. The character of the futurt nry is influenced, to a degree, e quality of the school teachers iced in the training college, the course of long years of wise , the Fiji training college earned id reputation. But deterioration some years ago. s students number between 200 500. They represent all Fiji’s but they are predominantly and Indian. Youths and young ire trained together. The whole s borne by the Colony, discipline became relaxed, re of “doings” at the college ie more frequent. These re were current in Suva four or ears ago; and they increased mber and frequency until, in the Education Department's Brass —which must have been for a long time—were stirred ivity.

Where the Blame? s difficult to say where the *ay—primarily, one supposes, the Education Department who were far too slow to act. v Zealander, Mr. C. S. Broc fho had been college principal e years, returned to NZ in 1962, and the job was taken y Mr. J. L. Stevens, another ealander, who has been in Fiji t from lack of discipline the college itself, the mis lours reported indicated far uch weekend leave for stu irunkenness and disorderliness the male students; and much i

immoral relationship between the sexes—high authority has admitted that eleven female students have been sent away in recent years be cause they were pregnant. . The Acting Director of Educa tion, Mr. Maurice McGrath, and the new principal, Mr. Stevens, went into action in February-March with great vigour; and within a few weeks their new rules created a rebellion among the students. Here are some of the rules to which furious objec tion was taken : ® Saturday leave to end at 945 pm, instead of 11.30 pm. • Queueing for meals, instead of meals being placed on the tables. (The last few in the queue generally

missed out under the new system.) • Weekend leaves once in three weeks, instead of every week. • Segregation of the sexes at recreation. •. College uniform to be worn at all times outside the college, instead of “easy” dress.

Mr. McGrath at the beginning of the school year, personally outlined the new regulations to the students.

The students gave them an un favourable reception. They formed themselves into some sort of union which formally protested to the principal. When there was no re laxation, 216 of them “went on strike”—they refused to attend lec tures and obey the new rules. (Over)

Mr. McGrath returned to the c lege and heard the students’ repres tations. Then he had a consultat with senior officials and the coll staff. He called the students toget again, said that some relaxati could be granted, but nothing m would be done until the stud< returned to work, and their re] sentations as a whole could be ( sidered.

The students hooted the offi( and resolved to continue the strik Next day, Mr. McGrath, acc panied by two MLC’s (Ratu Edv Cakobau was one) went back a to the college, and tried to re: with the students. They were they must return to work be their case could be further conside Hotheads among the students sisted that the strike continue, there was a deadlock. On second day of the strike police out 10 men armed with baton case of trouble.

This was the measure of the terioration which had taken ] in the college. Drastic action needed.

The Education Department cided to close the college for fortnight’s term holidays—one rr earlier than normal—and reopei the second term on April 24. those students who gave a fc undertaking that they would h forth obey the college rules v be re-admitted to the college. D that fortnight they must bf themselves if they wanted admission.

Within the two or three day fore the college was closed on 6, the students reacted here they demonstrated, erected inflai tory notices at the college and then addressed a petition t Governor, which was signed t Indians, 79 Fijians and two otl 177 altogether.

A good many students wh< not support the strike left IS of their own accord before 6. It was noted that as so< the trouble started a number < dian girl students were taken by their parents.

It is hoped that the cooli period will allow for the order assembly of students on Apr but opportunity may be taken rid of some trouble-makers.

Generally, the drastic action by the Department is approv the Colony. The “rotten spot to be rooted out. But great is directed to the high official; permitted this deterioration tc tinue over the years, long aft danger signals were flying.