Primary school teacher terminated for locking student in a deep freezer

The Minister of Education, Dr. Mahendra Reddy has confirmed that he has terminated the primary school teacher who locked a Year 2 student in a deep freezer last month.

Speaking to Newswire the Education minister said:

REDDY: “The teacher has been terminated.”

Yesterday, Dr. Reddy, said the issue is confidential.

REDDY: “Disciplinary actions have been taken and that’s all I can say.”

Police spokesperson Inspector Josaia Weicavu said the teacher has been questioned and released.

WEICAVU: “We are waiting for the ODPP to give the charges and than we will press charges.”

The Ministry of Education has suspended a teacher of a school in Tavua who is alleged to have locked a Year 2 student in a deep freezer last week.

Minister for Education Dr. Mahendra Reddy told Newswire that the ‘Disciplinary Committee’ met on Friday to discuss the incident and has decided to suspend the teacher.

Minister Reddy said he will see the report from the committee on Monday.

REDDY: “The teacher has been suspended and his case was brought to the disciplinary committee with a full detailed report, full investigation report. The disciplinary committee has made a recommendation to the PS and myself as Minister because on Friday (yesterday) I was in parliament I couldn’t act on it so either on Monday or Tuesday we will look at the report and make our decision on the fate of the teacher.”

“He is suspended, he is at home.”

Minister Reddy revealed that the teacher has other cases against him.

REDDY: “There is another case that he is to appear in court, there was another case in another school, similar case by the same teacher.”

“I must admit that this is an isolated case and I want to assure students and parents that this kind of teachers will not be tolerated, these kind of teachers are not there one too many, this is an isolated case and I want to assure that our school system is there for them to trust and get the children educated.”

“This is not a corporal punishment, this is criminal offence this is quiet serious.”

The Education minister said that the student is currently undergoing counselling and is recovering at home.

REDDY: “Our education officers have spoken to them and assured them our full support to the child. The teachers have been talking to the child, comforting the child, the child is getting normal and the child is ok.”

Meanwhile, Fiji Police Force media liaison officer Naina Ragigia said the matter was reported to Police on Tuesday.

RAGIGIA: “The teacher has been questioned and has not been charged. He has been released, we are still waiting for advice on his charges.”