The safety and welfare of students is of top priority to the Ministry of Education and for that reason, the Ministry will not tolerate any form of abuse of students.

In a statement, Interim Minister for Education, Netani Sukanaivalu stated that the ministry will abide by the decision of the High Court where corporal punishment is not to be used on any student.

He added that teachers are also bound by this decision and the ministry warns that any teacher, who inflicts any form of corporal punishment on a child, will be dealt with severely.

Meanwhile, Sukanaivalu said children are gifts from God and the Ministry expects all adults who work with children to love them and care for them.