Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, met with school sporting officials and representatives from various sporting bodies this afternoon to reinforce the importance of student safety and teacher responsibility during major school sports events.

The meeting, part of ongoing consultations ahead of key competitions such as the Athletics Zone Meets and Coca-Cola Games, focused on improving coordination, transparency, and student welfare throughout the sports calendar.

Minister Radrodro emphasised that all school sports events must first receive formal approval from the Ministry of Education. He reminded attendees that teachers have a critical supervisory role, both on and off the field, and must remain vigilant in ensuring student well-being before, during, and after events.

The Minister acknowledged the positive efforts in zones such as Tailevu and Triple N and thanked organisers for their commitment to student development. However, he also cautioned against the over-commercialisation of student participation, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the holistic development of students over financial interests.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to working closely with schools, teachers, parents, and sports officials to ensure a safe, structured, and developmentally appropriate environment for student athletes.