Opposition MP Ketan Lal has called on the Ministry of Education to shut down schools affected by the planned water cuts announced by the Water Authority of Fiji.
In his statement, Lal highlighted that the scheduled disruptions will impact numerous areas across the central division, raising significant health and safety concerns for both students and teachers if schools continue operating without a sufficient water supply.
Lal expressed his deep concern regarding the Ministry’s decision not to close the impacted schools, emphasizing that the health and safety of children should always be a top priority.
He stated, “It is also critical for the Ministry to supply affected schools with adequate water or alternative resources, such as water tanks, standpipes, or bottled water to ensure hygiene standards are upheld.”
The Opposition MP urged the Ministry to collaborate with the Water Authority and other relevant authorities to establish contingency plans, aiming to minimize any educational disruptions.
Lal stressed that it is unacceptable for students to be placed in conditions lacking necessary facilities for their health and safety. He emphasized, “The government must take decisive action to prioritize our students and ensure that no child is put at risk. I am urging the Minister for Education to make the responsible choice and temporarily close any schools severely affected by the water cuts until the issue is fully resolved.”