Sister Leva-i-Fangalupe Fono was one of the teachers leading a group practice of an action song for upcoming celebrations at St Patrick's, Panmure, in April last year.

She yelled at the girl, flicked her in the head and broke the girl's arm when she twisted it behind her back.

Leva had originally denied a charge of assault on a child and injuring the girl with reckless disregard when her trial at the Auckland District Court began Monday June 17.

But on Wednesday she pleaded guilty to two charges of assault on a child shortly after the Crown finished calling evidence against her and effectively removed the more serious charge of injuring with reckless disregard.

Judge Taumaunu said both Sister Leva, the girl and her family would take part in a Restorative Justice conference. The outcome of the conference is likely to impact on Sister Leva's sentence.

But whatever the result, Crown prosecutor Michael Walker said he would not be asking the court to send Sister Leva to jail.

Auckland Diocese spokeswoman Lyndsay Freer said she could not comment on the case specifically.

She said the church has a "zero tolerance" for violence in parishes and schools. No one from St Patrick's Church was available for comment.

Source

• New Zealand Herald
• Image:UNICEF

On World Day against Child Labour Fiji's Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni said the issue of child labour was a challenging one and needed to be addressed collaboratively by government, non-government organisations (NGOs), child advocates, schools, communities and individuals.

On the same day Fiji Ministry of Labour northern mediator, Sadrugu Ramagimagi, speaking at the in Labasa, suggested not all work done by children is child labour. He said work becomes child labour when the nature of the task deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity and is harmful to their physical and mental development.

Ramagimagi said legitimate forms of work that children could participate in "include activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays".

And in Lautoka West Police Commander SSP Salacieli Naivilawasa said the police are working closely with the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Education and non-governmental organisations in the fight against child labour.

He said that with the assistance of these organisations, children were being given their basic right to education. "In a situation where the child is not willing to go back to school who is 15 years and above, these children can be registered and trained under the National Employment Centre."

Naivilawasa labour inspectors had the power in law to enforce the minimum age of employment, which was 15 years. "Those who violate this law can face a fine from $10,000 for individuals to a maximum of $50,000 for corporations."

Source

• Fiji Times
• Fiji Times
• Fiji Times
• Fiji Times
• Image: CRS Asia