‘Address assault issue’

Relative calls for teachers, ministry’s urgent attention

A LAUTOKA man whose grandson was allegedly assaulted at an all-boys school in Tailevu wants teachers, management and the Ministry of Education to address the issue with urgency.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the case had been referred to the Korovou Police Station and was still under investigation.

Maciu Naqoli said the ministry should prioritise the matter as parents were concerned about the welfare of children.

Mr Naqoli, who lives in Natokowaqa, Lautoka, said his grandson was brought home more than two weeks ago but did not say anything until they noticed he was lying down most of the time.

“He hid it from me and I only noticed the bruises on his body when he was sleeping,” Mr Naqoli said.

“I asked him what happened and he said he was assaulted by senior boys inside the dormitory on the night of September 20.

“I took him to the Lautoka Hospital for a medical examination and lodged a police report.

“I am saddened by the fact that I am an ex-scholar of the school and this never happened during my day but it seems to be the norm there now.”

He said he would accompany his grandson back to school to sit external examinations in a few weeks’ time.

Questions sent to the Ministry of Education from Wednesday last week remained unanswered when this edition went to press.

A follow-up call was placed to Ministry of Education permanent secretary Alison Burchell on Tuesday, and when she answered the phone she said she would “reply later”.