The interim Minister for Education Filipe Bole is expected to initiate an internal investigation into the incident where a School principal allegedly assaulted a 16-year-old student after she did not close her eyes during a prayer session.
Bole said that the incident is seriously concerning after he heard about it on Fijivillage this morning and he will investigate the matter.
Fijians Teachers Association General Secretary Maika Namudu said actions will not be condoned and stressed that corpral punishment is banned in the country.
And The Fiji Women’s Crisis Center had expressed grave concern at the conduct of the principal and Center Coordinator Edwina Kotoisuva said the conduct of the teacher is in itself unchristian.
The Principal of a High School in Lami Lepani Koli appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court charged yesterday with one count of causing occasional bodily harm to a 16-year-old student after she did not close her eyes during a prayer session on the 23rd of last month.
The court heard that the case was referred to the principal by the Form 3 teacher who then allegedly hit the student with a pipe causing 5 linear bruises across her backside.
Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku bailed the school principal on $200 after he told the court he was willing to reconcile with the student. No Plea was taken. The case has been adjourned to the 23rd of this month.
