The Ministry of Education is currently awaiting initial engineering assessments regarding Vatuwaqa Primary School before deciding on the next steps. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro informed Parliament that engineers from NRW Macallan (Fiji) Ltd have conducted a detailed inspection of the fire-damaged structures in collaboration with a team from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
A fire that broke out on December 12, 2022, entirely destroyed one block of the school and caused partial damage to another, reportedly starting around 2 am. The National Fire Authority (NFA) classified the incident as suspected arson the following day.
In addition to Vatuwaqa Primary School, Minister Radrodro noted that several other institutions have also faced fire-related destruction. Rehabilitation efforts are currently underway at Lelean Memorial School and Vanuakula Catholic School in Waidina, Naitasiri. He mentioned that work on Degei House at Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) is nearing completion and is expected to be ready in time for the school’s centennial celebration next week.
The ministrations extend to the recovery of other affected dormitories, including Sukuna House at RKS and Verata and Rewa Houses at Queen Victoria School (QVS), which have been allocated funding in this year’s budget. Preliminary work has commenced, with plans to issue a tender by the end of the month.
Minister Radrodro also highlighted that Ba Special School is among the institutions impacted by fire, with plans to initiate recovery efforts within the current financial year. Furthermore, the ministry has established a Rehabilitation Unit within its Asset and Infrastructure Section and aims to recruit rehabilitation staff in the first quarter of this financial year.
Once operational, the unit will review all scoping reports and drawings submitted by lead consultants previously associated with the Construction Implementation Unit (CIU) of the ministry.