Students from Liahona High School, Tupou College, and Tonga College are conducting peacekeeping patrols every Friday afternoon in Nuku’alofa in a strategy to prevent and reduce school fights.

The patrol, organized by the Ministry of Education, under its Truancy, Reconciliation and Enforcement Unit (TREU), aims to ensure that peace and harmony are maintained by schools when they meet in public spaces.

Every Friday afternoon, 10 prefects from each of the three schools patrol Nuku’alofa Central Business District including the bus terminals on Vuna Road from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, along with the Tonga Police Force.

The Ministry of Education said in a statement that the patrol encouraged students to return to their respective homes immediately after school, and not to congregate in crowds in public spaces. Other schools may join the patrol in the near future. 

The Maʻufanga District Community Police was also assisting by asking students from the Maʻufanga District not to linger aimlessly in town but to return home after school. The TREU wecomed partnership and assistance from other communities. 

The Ministry is also tackling student absenteeism with the TREU continuously monitoring students attendance in all government schools on a weekly basis. This data enables the Ministry to be proactive and initiate immediate and long-term strategies in addressing absenteeism in schools which could be contributing to some social issues.

The Ministry said it strongly advocates for the maintenance of peace and harmony among all schools in Tonga and is willing to work with other government agencies and non-government organizations.