A bus driver had to make two stops at two different Police Stations to seek Police assistance after students of Ratu Kadavulevu School onboard became rowdy.

Nasese Bus Company director Jack Kumar raised his concern after one of his drivers made the call and was now refusing to drive for the school.

Mr Kumar said the RKS students heading for the Tailevu Zone at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday had half their bodies out of the bus and were shouting.

“The driver of the bus stopped at the Korovou Police Station where the students were given a warning, but it started all over again when the bus crossed the town,” Mr Kumar said.

“The driver then stopped at the Waidalice Police Post and the Police escorted the bus for a while. Soon after the Police was gone, the rowdiness started again.”

As the hype for the secondary school athletics build up, the RKS incident is not unique, Mr Kumar said.

A few days ago, in Nabua, students threw stones at the bus after the bus failed to stop and a Police report was lodged, he added. He said drivers feared that students would damage buses and in the worst case become violent towards them.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said traffic officers from the Fiji Police Force would be around to ensure that such behaviour is stopped.

She said parents and teachers should have advised or discussed the dangers of unwarranted behaviour.

Ministry, bus operators react.

Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar said such behaviour was not tolerated.

She said the hype created by the sporting activities is understood but this does not give reasons for students to behave in such a manner.

She said the ministry does not want students, drivers, and other passengers to get hurt.

She has requested for more Police presence during the secondary school athletics season.

Fiji Bus Operators Association president Nisar Ali said Police should lay charges on students to stop such behaviour.

Ms Naisoro said Police would first issue warnings.

In a separate incident in the west, Land Transport Authority directed Police to lay charges on students of Ratu Navula College for damaging and vandalising a bus in Nadi.

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