Valelawa Primary School in Macuata is currently conducting classes in recycled tents due to damage sustained during natural disasters. Other schools facing similar issues include Laucala District School on Qamea Island and Yadua Village School in Bua, which have also been using temporary shelters since their classrooms were affected.
Laucala District School experienced a landslide in 2016, while Yadua Village School was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020. Valelawa Primary School was built by parents 70 years ago and has four classrooms, but those were damaged during the cyclone as well. The school is situated approximately one hour from Labasa Town, two kilometers off the main road, and does not have bus service.
Hemant Kumar, one of the school trustees, reported that the foundation of the wooden building began to shake earlier this year, rendering it unsafe for students and teachers. After notifying the Ministry of Education, an inspection was conducted by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, which confirmed there were no termites present. Subsequently, the ministry provided two tents for classes attended by students from grades three to six.
Kumar noted that the tents, previously used at another school impacted by the cyclone, show signs of wear. With leaks during heavy rain and a lack of ventilation in hot weather, the conditions have been challenging. Currently, 70 students and four teachers have been utilizing these tents for over six months.
A parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed sadness over his daughter’s situation and mentioned that he had not been updated regarding the duration of the makeshift classrooms. A student compared the tents to animal shelters, recalling an instance of goat droppings found inside a tent, while another student shared concerns about leaks and cramped conditions.
One teacher indicated they remain quiet about their situation due to the Ministry of Education’s provision of a $45,000 grant for materials to rebuild an early childhood education facility that was also damaged.
Selina Kuruleca, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, stated during a recent visit that she was not aware that students were studying in tents. She indicated that arrangements were being made for materials to be sent to some maritime primary schools and expressed her intention to investigate the situation at Valelawa Primary School.
In response to their current hardships, school manager Dhirendra Prasad announced plans for a two-day bazaar on October 19-20 to raise funds. They are looking to gather $1,500 to open a bank account in Labasa Town and generate additional funds for labor costs to assist in building the early childhood education center. Prasad emphasized the management’s commitment to ultimately address the needs of their students, despite the challenges faced.