The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) schools in Tonga have been warned by the church’s Commissioner of Education they could be shut down if students will continue their involvement in fighting with students from other schools.
Elder Kim B. Clark has issued the warning while he visited the kingdom last week to give “advice to Tongan students, teachers and parents”.
He said if “violence and fighting” … “becomes the nature of these schools, then yes, the church will shut it down”.
The fighting between groups of students from different schools in Tonga has been going for years.
Recently, violent incidents occured quite frequently between students of the LDS largest high school known as Liahona High School and the government owned Tonga College.
Earlier this month a number of videos were uploaded to social media of fighting between students from various schools.
One video shows a student from Liahona High School emerging from a brawl with his face covered in blood.
In a press conference in Nukuʻalofa during his visit Elder Clark spoke about the role of parents, and he said, “Parents have a huge influence in their children’s education. The Lord wants His children to be better educated than ever before.”
He urged parents to support their children so they can acquire all the education they need.
“Teach your children, help them to learn and grow,” he said. “Take time to study and do homework with them; and to read with them.”
