SIR DAVID: APPROPRIATE MEASURES MUST BE EMPLOYED TO ADDRESS SOCIAL ILLS

The Governor General Sir David Vunagi has called for the establishment of appropriate measures to restore dignity and respect for human life and law and order in his New Year’s nation-wide address on January 1.

Sir David said since 2020, the nation has not been challenged only by the COVID19 pandemic but also by the epidemic of lawlessness, criminal activities, domestic violence, rape of girls and women and disrespect for authority.

He made reference to the barbaric killing of a 7-year-old girl at Kolombangara on 14th October 2021 as not only brutal but was uncultured and dehumanizing saying that those who committed the offence were without feeling and purely senseless.

The Governor General further made reference to teenage pregnancy as a rising concern in the society today.

“To avoid embarrassment and shame girls try to terminate the fetus in the womb. But when they fail the unwanted child is killed immediately after birth and disposed of either in the bush, river or rubbish bins. Infanticide is the crime that teenage girls commit in trying to conceal pregnancy,” Sir David said.

“As a nation we must not just say, “that is what it is” and do nothing. Appropriate measures must be taken to restore dignity and respect for human life and law and order,” said the Queen’s representative.

Sir David said Criminal activities in the communities show that moral and ethical values that were believed to be firmly embedded in Christian and cultural settings seem to have crumbled.

He added that solutions must be sought by the communities to encourage families and community members to stand united and remain focus on how to eradicate evil and violence.

“The society must reweave its social and cultural fabric to create a culture that transforms men and boys to respect women, girls and children,” he said.

Sir David also expressed concern on the rise of unacceptable attitudes that continued to filter into schools and displayed by some students. 

“Such students do not take school seriously and often skip classes.  They are often seen near market stalls along the road where Copen, Marijuana, kwaso, betel nut and cigarettes are exchanged. These are signs of the time and require the Ministry of Education and Education authorities to review the disciplinary system in schools,” said Sir David.

He said the conventional forms of discipline that include a few hours of manual work, suspension and even termination of enrollment seems to have no effect. 

He added that discipline in schools need to create a culture that molds students to live a better life and become good citizens of the nation.

ENDS///