FORMER scholars of Suva Grammar School and Marist Brothers' High School yesterday showed a combined front in the face of violence between their former schools.
Speaking at a joint press conference, the two schools former students association came together to make a call for peace between students.
Marist Old Boys Association president Nesbitt Hazelman said the former scholars of both schools did not condone the actions of the students.
"The ex-scholars of Marist Brothers and Suva Grammar are rallying behind the school heads in not condoning the violence.
"We are also calling for students to embrace the values of their institutions and stop the violence," said Mr Hazelman.
Suva Grammar School Ex-Students Association (SGSEA) vice president Noa Seru echoed the calls of the MOB association saying the actions of students involved in the violence did not represent those of the whole school.
"The students that were involved in those acts of violence are a minority, the major numbers of students are all law-abiding citizens," he said.
SGSEA trustee Selina Kuruleca said students needed to be reminded that everything could be resolved through dialogue and that students needed to take part in this.
The former scholars associations have spoken with students of their respective schools and have jointly put forward ideas to stop the violence.
These ideas ranged from professional counselling and support to victims of the violence to identifying perpetrators of the violence and offering counselling to them and their families. Other suggestions included the re-introduction of effective disciplinary measures like school-based community work and collective efforts for students and teachers to practise the values of their school as the foundation to a healthy education.
"We stand united in our efforts to provide a peaceful environment conducive to learning and a collegial relationship between our two schools and all schools in Fiji," the former scholars added.