Power restored as police probe dormitory breach

Police are investigating reports that two men entered a prominent all-girls boarding school early on Sunday morning during a prolonged power outage.

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro confirmed today that the school's head had reported the alleged incident to Police.

Mr Radrodro said the report followed a lengthy power outage caused after earthmoving equipment damaged an underground electricity cable while improvement works were being carried out on the school grounds.

"In terms of the allegations and the feedback that was given, they have been reported to the police by the head of school," he said.

"Because they have been reported to the police, we will just leave it at that."

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed investigations are ongoing.

Last Saturday, this masthead reported that about 400 boarders had been without electricity for more than two weeks.

The prolonged outage forced students to study under dim floodlights, solar light and use torches to move around the dormitories at night.

It is understood the underground power cable supplying the school was damaged during nearby roadworks.

Mr Radrodro said electricity had since been restored and thanked the National Disaster Management Office, the Ministry of Public Works, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) and ministry officials for responding to the outage.

“We are thankful that the electricity power has been restored given the incident that happened prior due to some damage that was caused by some diggers that were doing improvements in the school,” he said.

Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau said a contractor had accidentally severed an underground power line inside the school compound.

He said his ministry worked with EFL to fix the problem.

"That was one of the contractors who had severed the line in the compound," he said, adding that lessons would be learned to strengthen emergency response coordination.

Meanwhile, the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA) condemned the alleged intrusion into the girls' dormitory and urged anyone with information to assist Police.

"The safety of our girls is paramount. It is not negotiable," a statement to the parents read.

"The PTFA condemns the actions of these men in the strongest possible terms. For grown men to enter our daughters' dormitory in the dead of night is a cowardly, shameful and criminal act. It is a gross violation of the one place our girls should feel safest, and the PTFA stands behind every action taken to hold these men to account."

The PTFA also urged parents to allow the police investigation to take its course.

"We ask all parents to allow the police investigation to take its course. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should contact the police directly," the association said.