In light of two recent school fires, the National Fire Authority (NFA) is ramping up inspections of educational institutions across the country to ensure adherence to fire safety regulations.
NFA’s chief executive, Puamau Sowane, highlighted the urgent need for action following fires at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka on October 12 and Lomaivuna High School on October 6.
The NFA is also advising government and school authorities to prioritize investments in fire insurance for their properties.
The fire at Desbhandhu Vitogo Primary School resulted in the destruction of four classrooms, an office, a staff room, and a computer room. The concrete building with a corrugated iron roof and aluminum doors suffered 95 percent damage, leading to an estimated cost of $220,000. Currently, students are attending classes in tents. The total cost of damaged items amounted to $160,000, culminating in a total estimated damage cost of $380,000. Damaged items included a photocopier, laptops, projectors, computer sets, tablets, school supplies valued at $4,000, office furniture, and appliances.
An investigation is in progress to determine the probable cause of the fire.
To tackle the broader issue, the NFA has begun discussions with the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Minister of Education to consider introducing a Fire Safety Curriculum in early education. The objective is to educate children about fire safety from a young age, enabling them to act appropriately during emergencies.
The NFA has shifted its focus to inspecting high-risk schools, particularly those with boarding facilities, commercial kitchens, heritage-listed buildings, and chemistry labs. They have already inspected 25 schools, including 12 major boarding schools in Viti Levu and Taveuni, all with student populations exceeding 500. These inspections were either requested by the schools or scheduled by the NFA as part of a high-risk assessment strategy.
The NFA is dedicated to inspecting all primary and secondary schools across Fiji’s three divisions, focusing on those more susceptible to fire risks. Their goal is to reduce the incidence of school fires by ensuring compliance with fire safety standards.
According to NFA statistics, from January 2019 to October 15, 2024, a total of 22 school buildings across the nation sustained over 90 percent damage, including 11 classrooms and offices, five dormitory buildings, six teachers’ quarters, and a tool shed. The total cost of damage from these incidents exceeded $3.7 million.
Mr. Sowane emphasized the need for school management and the central government to consider investing in school properties through insurance, as significant investments in education have been lost due to recent fires. He stressed that government investments in schools are substantial, and ensuring fire safety is critical, especially when students are present. Insurance could protect investments in buildings, equipment, and furniture.
Furthermore, the NFA is collaborating closely with government architects to ensure that all public buildings, especially schools, comply with minimum fire safety standards as per the National Building Code of Fiji. They are in the process of collecting data from the Ministry of Education regarding the ages of specific school structures to provide tailored fire safety advice based on the risks associated with older buildings.
This initiative is a top priority for the NFA, and they will continue to give updates on the progress of school inspections and enhancements in fire safety education.