The Ministry of Education is currently awaiting initial engineering assessments regarding Vatuwaqa Primary School prior to making any decisions. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro informed Parliament that engineers from NRW Macallan (Fiji) Ltd have performed extensive inspections of the fire-damaged buildings in collaboration with a team from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The fire, which completely destroyed one block and partially damaged another, occurred on December 12, 2022, with reports indicating it ignited around 2 a.m. The National Fire Authority subsequently classified the incident as suspected arson on December 13.
Radrodro mentioned that several other schools have also suffered fire damage. He noted ongoing rehabilitation efforts at Lelean Memorial School and Vanuakula Catholic School located in Waidina, Naitasiri. The restoration of Degei House at Ratu Kadavulevu School is nearly finished and is expected to be completed in time for the school’s 100-year centennial celebration next week.
Additionally, the burnt dormitories including Sukuna House at RKS, as well as Verata House and Rewa House at Queen Victoria School, have been accounted for in this year’s budget, with preliminary work already initiated, and a tender expected to be issued by the end of this month.
Radrodro stated that other institutions, such as Ba Special School, have also faced fire incidents, and plans are in place to address their needs within this financial year. The ministry has established a Rehabilitation Unit within its Asset and Infrastructure Section and intends to recruit rehabilitation staff within the first quarter of the financial year. Once operational, the Unit will review all scoping reports and designs provided by the lead consultants previously engaged by the ministry’s Construction Implementation Unit (CIU).