By Martha Taumata Fa’avae
The Catholic Church Chanel College, Moamoa, is minus two senior girl students expelled from school last week.
One is for beating up on another girl and the other for video recording the attack inside the school bathroom for girls.
The video clip of the attack ended up on social media and it caused the most damage to the school than the actual violence.
The online exposure went viral and shamed the school, Catholic Church and its director of Education, Father Mika Tuimavave.
“Naturally I’m sad and embarrassed for the church and the school at what happened and for a lot of reasons behind it,’ Father Tuimavave responded when asked by Newsline.
The video with its global viewers was bad enough until more footage of other student fights were uploaded online as well.
The videos were discovered to be recordings of earlier student fights from previous years.
The videos were tracked to students who are no longer in school including the ones shown on the recordings.
“I have already met with the principals and other management members of all Catholic schools, to tell them to be more aware of these incidents in the future.
“ These actions are a disgrace and not acceptable in school, those girls who were involved in the recent violence are no longer with the school.”
Father Tuimavave, is also reminded of the national efforts to overcome the violence against women wherever that may occur in families, villages , schools or churches.
Violence by women against women is a twist he will not tolerate as well.
“Parents are warned the church schools will not stand for this kind of student violence from anyone .
“ I’m sure the principals and teachers have passed the warning along in the classrooms.”
Student violence has often spilled into the public usually between schools with the Savalalo Bus Depot and the Fugalei Market the main hot spots for the outbreak of fighting.
Sports rivalry that flowed out from the sporting grounds are the usual sparking points but it has since extended to other areas of youth conflicts.
The Ministry of Police has issued stern warnings in the past to students caught fighting in public places.
Some of the students have gone as far as to appear in court for school violence.
Reconciliation between schools has become a regular attempt by teachers to try and resolve any frictions between the students.