Samoa's Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture closed Avele College in Apia on Friday for the protection and security of its students.

The St Joseph's Day sports at St Joseph's College were cancelled to send a message to students that the behaviour at the brawl is unacceptable.

The director of Catholic education in Samoa, Aeau Chris Hazelman, met Don Bosco's principal and other senior officers of the schools to devise a way forward.

On Wednesday, Samoan police arrested three students and more arrests were made on Thursday.

This followed further brawling at the bus terminal behind the burnt flea market at Savalalo.

Mr Hazelman issued an apology to the whole Samoan nation.

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic schools involved, he said there is no excuse for the students' behaviour.

"We have decided to let the law carry its course and we will support the police in their investigation," he said.

Police reported that students with links to the violence used social media sites like Facebook to post videos and pictures.

Mr Hazelman asked parents to more closely monitor social media activity by their children.

Late last year, police in Samoa were called on to intervene after ongoing fights between school students at the Tafusi Markets.

Three years ago, an increasing number of brawls and student fights prompted the Samoan Ministry of Education to push Bible studies in public schools as a counter measure.

Sources

• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Samoa Observer
• Image: Radio New Zealand

And earlier in the year the Prime Minster of Samoa also threatened to reintroduce corporal punishment in response to school brawls at sporting events.

There is no evidence however that the abandonment of corporal punishment has made the situation significantly worse, or that its reintroduction would improve the situation.

Tongan Police think the level of school violence is coming down, with only 24 school children arrested and charged so far this year.

Tonga's assistant deputy Police Commissioner, Soakai Motu'apuaka, says they're trying an integrated approach to the problem involving the community, and it seems to be working.

And in Fiji the Ministry of Education has ruled out any possibility of reintroducing corporal punishment. Instead Education Ministry permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal has urged students involved to focus on their studies instead of retaliating.

"Let's come to some form of reconciliation, put aside all differences, forgive one another and treat each other as friends," he said .

Lal also urged teachers to impart virtues and values to students and teach them integrity, morality and responsibility.

Source

• Radio Australia International
• The Fiji Times
• Image:

In his written submissions to the Constitution Commission, Aisea Vunibaka, a retired revenue collector, said human rights were stopping teachers from punishing students.

"Their parents, guardians and teachers could be part of the solution, however their hands are tied up by a foreign flower, human rights," he said.

"The only sure way of nurturing our young boys and girls is for the parents to be allowed to cane their children when it's needed," he submitted.

Tui Wainunu Ratu Orisi Baleitavea has also called for the reinstatement of corporal punishment.

In his submission to the Constitution Commission he said the vanua of Bua had agreed to recommend as part of their submission to reintroduce this form of disciplining children.

However Save the Children Fiji CEO Chandra Shekhar disagrees. When asked for his opinion on the matter, he said schools should get to the root of the problem rather than physically punishing students.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Indian Express

Brawls last Friday and on Monday involved students from Suva Grammar and Marist Brothers' High School. Three people were hospitalised and a Marist student was arrested. He appeared in the Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was charged with two counts of assault. He was granted bail.

The Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua, has warned students of Suva Grammar and Marist Brothers' High School that anyone who breaks the law will be taken to task.

Fiji's Ministry of Education permanent secretary Brij Lal has described the street fights as a disgrace.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Pacific Island report
• FijiVillage
• Image: FijiLive