The Principal of a high school in Lami, Lepani Koli appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court charged 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 where he then told the 16-year-old and a school mate to bend down before hitting them with a black poll thin pipe.

The 16-year-old student received 5 linear bruises across her backside and was taken to hospital before the matter was referred to Police.

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.