BY: PENI KOMAISAVAI
The Education ministry is investigating an alleged case of bullying and assault at Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in Suva, Fiji.
Prefects at the school allegedly beat a Year 11 student over a missing mobile phone last week.
Education Minister Rosy Akbar said last week that she was unaware of the incident, but said: “We do not condone bullying in any schools, whether it is a day scholar or a boarding school, we will take serious action.”
Ministry sources have however confirmed to Islands Business that an incident report has been received from the school.
School Principal Napolioni Silatolu says he won’t be talking to the media about the allegations. “I will only be answering questions from the Ministry not Islands Business,” Silatolu said.
Students at the school claim the alleged assault started in a classroom and then continued elsewhere on school grounds. The whereabouts of teachers and supervisors at the time of the alleged incident are unclear.
Earlier this year, Save the Children Fiji expressed concern about the continued incidence of bullying in Fiji schools, and called on schools, churches and other faith based organisations, community leaders, schools, civil society and the government to work together to stop bullying.
