A concerned parent has raised serious concerns over alleged bullying at a prominent Lautoka primary school, claiming repeated incidents involving her daughter and granddaughter have gone largely unaddressed.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the parent claimed bullying had become normalised, with many families reluctant to pursue complaints because little action had been taken to address them.
She detailed two recent alleged incidents — one involving her Year Six daughter, who she said was punched and poked in the forehead with a pen last year, and another involving her Year Two granddaughter, who was kicked last week, resulting in bruising and a slight leg dislocation.
“My daughter is in Year Two… I think the teacher was present, but she didn’t tell her,” the parent said. “The class captain always pinches her, scratches her and kicks her… I’ve taken her for medical and we are compiling information to take to the ministry.”
She alleged that other students had also been targeted by the same child.
“We understand she’s a class prefect, but she should explain verbally… not use her hands,” she said. “She slapped my daughter… I went to the head of school, but there’s been no action.”
The parent claimed the school suggested de-badging the alleged bully but no follow-up occurred. She now fears a growing culture of violence and is considering transferring both children.
“If you go to the media, they will send your child out of school,” she alleged.
Questions sent to Education Minister Aseri Radrodro remain unanswered.
