Fiji’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, has called on iTaukei parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s behaviour following reports of alleged stone-throwing incidents during Diwali and vandalism in schools.

In a strongly worded public statement, Qereqeretabua said she was deeply embarrassed by reports of incidents involving children in Indigenous Fijian communities and questioned whether parents were providing adequate discipline and guidance at home.

“INDIGENOUS FIJIAN PARENTS, WHERE ARE YOU?” she wrote.

“As an Indigenous Fijian, I am deeply embarrassed about what is happening in our communities.”

She said reports of alleged stone-throwing incidents during Diwali, including attacks involving places of worship and public transport, should be a serious concern for parents.

The Deputy Speaker also raised concerns about reports of students vandalising classrooms, questioning the values and behaviour being encouraged at home.

“What are we teaching our children? Where is the discipline, respect and parental guidance?”

In a direct message to parents, she questioned whether they were paying sufficient attention to their children’s activities and behaviour.

“Parents, are your eyes more on your phones than your kids?”

Qereqeretabua also challenged those who speak proudly about their vanua (land and community), lotu (faith) and Indigenous culture to reflect on whether they are practising the values they promote.

Her comments also addressed calls for Fiji to become a Christian state.

“Sa rauta mada na viavia Christian State, look at your children and you, their teachers,” she wrote, urging people to examine their own conduct before making demands about the country’s religious identity.

The remarks have brought parental responsibility, cultural values and religious identity into the discussion surrounding alleged incidents during Diwali.

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