Fiji teacher spits on student, sacked

Suva:A college teacher in Fiji has been fired for spitting on a student, the government announced Wednesday.

The incident happened at the Ratu Latianara College in Serua province, the Department of Information said in a statement.

Details about the sacked teacher have not been disclosed.

Education Minister Mahendra Reddy described the incident as unacceptable and a violation of the right of all students to be treated with respect, Xinhua reported.

"We look to our teachers to be role models for good behaviour and in this instance, the teacher failed to meet the required standard. Following consultations with the minister for the public service, I have terminated the teacher," said Reddy.

Reddy stressed that he wants to make it clear to all teachers in Fiji that they need to uphold the highest standards of personal behaviour.

"However challenging a classroom environment may be at times, there is no excuse for teachers to breach the values of civil service and normal standards of behaviour," he added.

Reddy is a member of the FijiFirst party, which won a landslide victory in the Sep 17 general election.