Fiji’s Students Struggle: Transport Woes and Connectivity Crisis

Students in the Tabia area of Labasa, Fiji, are facing significant challenges in attending school due to inadequate network coverage and insufficient funds for e-ticketing bus top-ups. Over 300 students are struggling to recharge their bus cards, which are essential for their daily commutes.

Jitendra Kumar, a councillor for the Tabia advisory committee, expressed concerns that students frequently encounter problems with accessing network services. He mentioned, “Sometimes we try to call, but we can’t hear anything. There’s simply no signal.” The lack of reliable network coverage exacerbates the issue of topping up e-ticketing cards, which many students rely on.

Local shops have served as the primary means for students to recharge their cards; however, these shops often run out of top-up cards. Kumar highlighted a recent personal experience of visiting a local shop only to find no recharge cards available, leaving many students unable to secure transport to school. As a result of these challenges, some students must travel to town to recharge their cards, which imposes an additional financial burden on their families. The bus fare is $4 one way, while taking a taxi would cost $15, making it an unsustainable option for many families.

This situation mirrors similar challenges faced by students in other regions of Fiji, where inadequate transport systems and unreliable e-ticketing card services have hindered access to education. Previous reports noted that many students across northern Fiji have also struggled with uncharged bus cards, leading to missed school days, as certain students were forced to borrow cards from peers to continue attending classes.

Efforts to obtain responses from relevant officials, including Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica, have proven unsuccessful thus far. However, there is cause for hope, as stakeholders—including local and government representatives—are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing these issues to ensure all students have reliable access to education.

Initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity in rural areas have been highlighted, and as discussions continue, there remains optimism for substantial improvements in transportation infrastructure, which could ultimately lead to a better educational experience for all students in Fiji.