The Ministry of Education is currently awaiting preliminary engineering reports regarding Vatuwaqa Primary School before determining next steps. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro informed Parliament that engineers from NRW Macallan (Fiji) Ltd have performed a comprehensive inspection of the damaged buildings in collaboration with a team from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
On December 12, 2022, a fire completely destroyed one block of the school and caused partial damage to another, reportedly starting around 2 am. Following the incident, the National Fire Authority (NFA) classified the fire as suspected arson on December 13.
In addition, Mr. Radrodro noted that several other schools have also experienced fire damage. Ongoing rehabilitation efforts are taking place at Lelean Memorial School and Vanuakula Catholic School in Waidina, Naitasiri. He mentioned that the restoration of Degei House at Ratu Kadavulevu School is nearing completion and will be completed in time for the school’s 100-year centennial celebration next week.
Other damaged dormitories, including Sukuna House at RKS and Verata House and Rewa House at Queen Victoria School, are also included in this year’s budget. Preliminary works have started, and a tender will be issued by the end of the month.
Mr. Radrodro highlighted that additional schools, including Ba Special School, have faced similar fire incidents, and plans for rehabilitative actions are set to commence in this financial year. The ministry has established a Rehabilitation Unit within its Asset and Infrastructure Section and aims to secure staff for the unit by the first quarter of this fiscal year.
Once operational, the unit will review all scoping reports and architectural drawings provided by the main consultants who worked with the former Construction Implementation Unit (CIU) of the ministry.