Police this afternoon arrested a teacher for allegedly beating up a student at Vainī Middle School.
The teacher, whose identity has yet to be released, had been charged with assault.
Police reportedly said the arrest has sent a clear message to victims of this type of crime they could be dealt with if they had the courage to come forward and reveal it.
As we reported earlier the student was hospitalised amid an investigation by the ministries of Police and Education.
The authorities acted after the student’s grandmother reported the incident on Tonga Broadcasting Broadcom radio show.
She said the teacher allegedly threatened to beat the children’s parents if they told them about their punishment.
She said her grandchild was terrified and when she asked to take him with her to the school and talk to the teacher he refused.
“To make sure that any victim of this kind of crime should have the courage to come forward and also in the long term, to create an environment in school that is more safe and more friendly and welcomes every member of society here,” Radio New Zealand has quoted Tonga’s Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea as saying.
