The 42‑year‑old headteacher of a primary school who is charged with allegedly indecently assaulting six students has been suspended with pay by the Education Ministry.
Permanent Secretary for Education Iowane Tiko says the head teacher Ratu Ravuama Vunivalu was suspended with pay once he was taken into Police custody.
Tiko says once Vunivalu’s case is submitted to the Public Service Disciplinary board they will then suspend him without pay.
He says this alleged breach of conduct case has also been forwarded to the Solicitor General’s office for verification.
An acting headteacher has also been appointed to the school.
Ratu Ravuama Vunivalu will appear in the Suva High Court on the 29th of this month.
He has been charged with one count of sexual assault, 3 counts of indecently annoying and two counts of annoying any person.
The matter was reported at the Vunidawa Police Station last week by the school’s Assistant Head Teacher after noticing the suspicious activities of the accused.
Police say the victims are aged between 14 and 12 years and it is alleged the 42‑year‑old Ratu Ravuama Vunivalu had committed the offense sometime between the beginning of the school term until the matter was reported last week.
