Ministry and Police look into student bullying allegations at private school

The Ministry of Education and Police are currently looking into allegations of bullying levelled against a Year 4 student at a private school in Suva after the parents of a Year 2 student alleged that their child has been threatened, verbally abused and physically assaulted.

Following these alleged incidents, the private school’s admin team and teachers have stressed that they have been forthcoming with all the information including CCTV footage to assist in investigations from this morning.

They also state that they do not condone any sort of bullying at the school, and when it comes to the teaching profession, the school is urging the parents to have open lines of communication to improve the learning for students.

The father from Nasinu has alleged that the Year 4 student first made a discriminatory comment against his son last month, and his wife went to the private school and reported the matter.

He says the second incident occurred earlier this month, where his son was allegedly punched by the same student on the feet.

The father says his wife again went to the school and told the admin and the teacher on duty about the alleged incident.

He says in the third alleged incident, the same year 4 child told his son that he is going to kill him and all his friends will laugh at him.

He says he and wife went with their children to the school, and by this time they were utterly disappointed that the matter had not been dealt with any urgency. The father says all he wants from the school is to implement strong policies against bullying and parents of children to be notified of incidents of bullying.

He says his child is afraid of going to school from last week, and all these things would not have happened if the school management would have taken prompt action in the first incident of bullying.

The father says bullying is not only physical but emotional and psychological as well.

He has also written to Acting Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew and Permanent Secretary for Education, Selina Kuruleca. When approached by fijivillage News on the alleged bullying incidents, Kuruleca says she has spoken to one of the directors of the school.

She says a Ministry of Education team went to the school to verify the allegations and map out recommendations on the best way forward for the child in ensuring the child is safe and is in a supportive environment.

Kuruleca says they will also offer counselling support to the child and training for the teachers as necessary in the areas of need.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro confirms the Acting Police Commissioner has directed the ACP Crime for officers from the Juvenile Unit to look into the matter.