Coverage• What is freedom of speech• Advantages of promoting freedom of speech• Freedom of speech-Teacher’s perspective• Freedom of speech in classroom-Students’ perspective• Factors leading to restriction of freedom of speech in classrooms• Reasons behind restriction of freedom of speech in some schools• Freedom of speech should be promoted or not• Case study• Factors to be considered from case study• Data research• Video show• Conclusion• Questions & answers

If freedom of speech is promoted everywhere then people would be able to share each others ideas and if any problems arise then the problem can be solved easily.

In classroom situation if freedom of speech is practiced then students may respect the teacher and would like to take help from the teacher and will not be afraid of approaching the teacher.

Freedom of speech can also boost the confidence in a person. For example, if a student is able to speak freely to the teacher then he will build his/her confidence and will be able to respond well to the teacher in classrooms.

• Most teachers in schools have less freedom of speech in comparison to teachers at a superior positions. For example, teachers are sometimes given loads of supervisions by their HOD’S and they are not able to express their views that they also have other work load.

• According to the research being conducted on trainees’ of FNU, it was found out that almost 92% believed that their freedom of speech was restricted while practicing for the teacher training in various schools.

• According to a survey carried out, some students

believe that freedom of speech should be promoted

in classrooms to allow students express their views

on certain issues.

• Students believe that if this is done then they will be

able to communicate with their teacher freely if

there is any need.

• Students would be able to build their confidence in

speaking out to the teacher and will always look

upon the teacher as their role model.

• Some students of Central College believed that if students are not given right to speak their views in classrooms then this would further distance them away from their teacher and this will also affect their studies. For example, if a student wants a question to be discussed and the teacher ignores that student then maybe next time the student may not have the courage to speak to the teacher and this can also affect their marks in assessments.

Lack of motivation from primary school.

Lack of self-confidence/self-esteem.

Student not knowing the child rights.

Improper strategies used by teachers.

Students do not have the sufficient knowledge on

child rights.

Lack of affection towards students.

• Fear of expression among students regarding a

particular teacher.

• Fear in the heart of students in facing the teacher.

• Lack of background knowledge about the topic.

• One main motive of restriction of freedom of speech in classroom is that the schools have some responsibility in making the students good citizens and good citizens should only raise their voice if there is a great need for it.

• Freedom of speech in schools need to be restricted to have a control over behavior over students as some students do have a habit of saying anything at anywhere at anytime. This may contribute to the violation of school rules and this can also bring shame to the teacher.

Some teachers do believe that freedom of speech should not be promoted because this might reduce the ability to have a control over students. Some even agree with the fact that it will also change the behavior of the students. For example, there might be more debates between the teacher and the students and arguments may arise and it is also possible that the students might think that the teacher is teaching the wrong thing or the content is not appropriate.

But A large number of teachers believe that Freedom of

speech should be promoted in classrooms in order to improve the content knowledge of the students and it will bring more confidence in the students.

This case is study is based on one of the widely known school in western division where a student named Tevitawas schooling. He was actually brought up in Vanua Levuand studied till class 8 in Labasa Primary School. Due to some reason his family moved to Lautoka and he started his school here. He was a gold medalist in his previous school but his teachers in current school were not aware of his caliber and due to this his teachers made him sit at the back. So during classes teachers were not focusing on him. During one of the English classes, students were given an oral presentation to do on stage. That day of the presentation, Tevita surprised all his colleagues and his teachers with clean and energetic presentation.

• Teachers should never undermine the ability of

students.

• Every child in classrooms must be treated equally.

• Freedom of speech must not be restricted in

classrooms.

• Promoting freedom of speech can bring good

changes.

• According to the research

(questionnaires) carried out, 82% of

FNU trainees believe that freedom

of speech should not be restricted in

classrooms while 12 % believe that

it should be vice-versa.

• Most of the FNU trainees from 88%

believe that it is everybody’s right to

express their views so do children in

classrooms.

• The sole reason for other group who

believe that freedom of speech

should be restricted in classrooms is

because this would take students out

of control.

Restriction of freedom of

speech

freedom ofspeechshould berestricted inclassrooms

freedom ofspeechshould notbe restrictedinclassrooms

• Some students of Central

College were handed in the

questionnaires to answer

some related questions to

freedom of speech.

• It was a shocking fact to

realize that almost 93% of

students believe that

freedom of speech is

definitely necessary in all

schools while 7 % believed

that it is not necessary.

Is freedom of speech necessary in schools?

NO

YES

Video Show(Interview)

• Freedom of speech is indeed a need in classrooms in

Fiji.

• Teachers should promote freedom of speech in

classrooms.

• Teachers must not avoid their students which can

also lead to restriction of freedom of speech.

• Teachers must also know the background of their

students.

1. https://cdt.org/issue/free-expression2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech_in_

the_United_States4. Chandra Aman, Student, Personal Communication5. http://www.theguardian.com/world/freedom-of-

speech6. Assistant Head teacher(Personal Communication)7. Fiji National University Student(Personal

Communication)8. http://www.thecharterrules.ca/index.php?main=conc

epts&concept=5