Students in the Delainavesi and Lami areas of Fiji are facing significant challenges in concentrating during class due to persistent sanitation issues caused by ongoing water disruptions. Local schools have reported foul odors emanating from poorly maintained toilets, exacerbated by a lack of water, which can last for days or even weeks.
More than 2000 students across five schools in these regions are affected. While visiting two secondary schools and three primary schools, we witnessed firsthand the dire conditions students endure. Residents indicate that the water situation has recently deteriorated, a situation attributed to years of neglect regarding essential infrastructure. The right to quality education, which is emphasized in both Fiji’s Constitution and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is being jeopardized for these children.
At Navesi Primary School in Delainavesi, nearly 400 students, including kindergarteners, are sometimes forced to cover their noses with handkerchiefs during lessons due to the stench from the toilets. Teachers report coordination failures between the Ministry of Education and the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), which complicates efforts to secure emergency water supplies when needed.
Minister for Public Works and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, acknowledged the communication gap between the Ministry and WAF and expressed concerns about the ongoing issues. He emphasized the need for better coordination to ensure timely responses, particularly during planned or unexpected water outages.
The ripple effects of the water crisis are alarming, as absenteeism among students is rising. Many parents cite water shortages at home as a primary reason for their children’s absence from school. Teachers have also reported instances of students attending school without proper bathing or clean uniforms, further impacting academic performance.
Ballantine Memorial School in Delainavesi, with 445 students, struggles with inadequate water tank supplies, needing frequent water deliveries that often do not arrive on time. Consequently, vital educational programs and hygiene activities are being canceled due to insufficient water.
The bureaucratic red tape surrounding decisions related to school operations during water issues often leads to delayed responses. Consequently, school heads have taken it upon themselves to close schools or send students home as needed without awaiting formal directives from the Ministry.
Despite these challenges, there is hope as community members are advocating for swift solutions. Continued pressure on local authorities may lead to essential improvements in water infrastructure, ensuring reliable access to clean water and supporting the education of the affected children. The residents’ determination to address these pressing issues can pave the way for long-term solutions that benefit not just the current generation but future ones as well.
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