University of the South Pacific (USP) in Honiara has come under fire after one of its staff allegedly refused to assist a student with disability.
Edwin Babanisi, who is blind by disability, is studying law at USP’s Laucala campus in Fiji.
He took his frustration of being unfairly treated by a female USP staff to social media, attracting sympathies and anger at the treatment.
Babanisi said he went to the USP campus last week to consult Student Administrative Services and was referred to the female officer (name withheld).
He said upon reaching the office of the female officer, he was told by another officer that the person he was supposed to see will not see him.
This is because the officer does not deal with people with disability.
Babanisi wrote:
“Students with disabilities are very much respected by staff at Laucala campus, where they have a Disability Resource Centre with professional and reliable staff.
“I hope this woman won’t treat students with disabilities the same way she has treated me in future.
“As an advocator for students with disabilities, I hope I have more time to advocate here at the Honiara campus, but I am travelling back to school next week.”
Those who responded to his post in the popular Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) facebook page called for the immediate sacking of the female officer.
Some say the behaviour of the female officer was strange and she should be removed.
It’s understood USP has a disability inclusive policy that highly embraces students with disability studying at its campuses across the region.
Advocator for persons with disability Casper Fa’asala said he will take up the matter with the USP campus director here.
He said this is a serious issue that goes against USP’s own disability policy.
Comments are being sought from the USP campus director.
