An infrastructure assessment has revealed serious deficiencies in schools along the Suva-Nausori corridor, highlighting pressing concerns such as overcrowding, insufficient sanitation, and poor accessibility. The Revised Infrastructure Assessment Report, commissioned by the government, scrutinized 86 schools in the region, identifying critical gaps that necessitate immediate remedial action to improve the educational environment.
The report indicates that a staggering 70 percent of the schools surveyed exceed the recommended classroom capacity. There are discrepancies between the standards of the Fiji National Building Code (FNBC) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) regarding overcrowding, where the FNBC shows almost all schools are overcrowded, contrasting with the MoE’s identification of only a few schools facing space issues.
For primary schools to meet basic requirements, an additional 168 classrooms are needed, while secondary schools require 81 new classrooms. Stricter guidelines at 2 square meters per student would increase the need to a total of 745 additional classrooms, underscoring the urgent demand for educational space.
The assessment also highlights inadequate sanitation, with nearly half of the schools failing to meet the FNBC’s toilet-to-student ratio, which is particularly detrimental to female students and their attendance during menstrual cycles. Furthermore, none of the schools provide accessible toilets for students with disabilities, indicating a significant gap in inclusive infrastructure.
Structural integrity poses additional challenges, with 55 percent of the schools reporting issues like cracked walls and damaged roofs. Primary schools show more deterioration compared to secondary institutions, while the lack of disaster preparedness is alarming given that many schools serve as evacuation centers yet lack essential structural resilience to handle extreme weather events.
To address these issues, the report recommends constructing 249 new classrooms, improving sanitation facilities to better serve female students, and introducing accessible infrastructure. It emphasizes the importance of regular building inspections, necessary repairs, and enhancements to evacuation centers.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, alongside outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Ewen McDonald, presented these findings, reaffirming a commitment to initiate improvements in the school infrastructure. This assessment marks a crucial phase for educational reform in the region, sparking discussions about funding and strategic planning to foster a better learning environment.
The emerging recognition of these urgent issues may act as a catalyst for future investments, heralding significant enhancements in Fiji’s school infrastructure. With collaborative efforts from the government, communities, and international partners, there is optimism for transforming the educational landscape, ensuring that every child has access to a safe and adequate learning environment.
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