The Ministry will not hesitate to exclude schools from participating in the deaneries if violent behaviour occurs – Radrodro

Education Minister Aseri Radrodro stressed that the ministry will not hesitate to exclude schools from participating in the Deans Competition if violent behaviour occurs at the school and students threaten the safety of others.

Radrodro confirmed to Fijivillage News this morning that he will convene an urgent meeting with Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union officials today to discuss the future participation of schools and students with a proven history of violence and disorderly behaviour.

Students and supporters of Lelean Memorial School were allegedly pelted with stones by some students of a prestigious school in Tailevu on Friday afternoon on their way back to Korovou.

Radrodro says he wants students and teachers to know that sport is a unifying activity and also a career opportunity for many Fijians, and that they cannot allow sport to be marred by such indiscipline and violence.

The Minister of Education calls on all schools and students to urgently have serious discussions on this issue.

He reminds all schools and students that in the past, provincial teams have been excluded from participating in local competitions because their fans or teams were violent and unruly, and that the Ministry will not hesitate to consider any such case.

Radrodro emphasizes that the safety of the public, students and fans is the top priority.

Speaking to Fijivillage News, Lelean Memorial School U16 Raluve Coordinator Losalini Nailevu said they were allegedly stoned after the semi-final of the Vodafone Deans Eastern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Competition at the Dawasamu grounds on Friday.

She also said that a grade 11 student was injured on the bus and taken to Korovou Hospital.

The police are investigating the incident.