Two maritime schools in Fiji’s Northern Division remain without proper classrooms, several years after being damaged by natural disasters. Laucala District School in Dreketi Village on Qamea Island suffered severe damage from a landslide in December 2016, while Yadua Village School on Yadua Island in Bua was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.
Since these incidents, students have been forced to study in temporary locations such as village halls and community centers as they wait for the construction of new classrooms. School management teams have arranged temporary solutions while seeking intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Permanent Secretary for Education, Selina Kuruleca, confirmed that the budget for the 2024-2025 financial year includes funding for rebuilding classrooms at the affected schools. However, she noted the logistical difficulties involved in transporting building materials to the islands.
“We are collaborating with other government ministries to ensure timely delivery, as the barge needs to be able to access these schools,” Kuruleca stated. She emphasized that both the ministry and affected communities want to avoid having children continue their education in tents.
The ministry is also working with corporate organizations and community members who have offered to assist in the rehabilitation efforts.
Muniappa Goundar, general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, criticized the prolonged delay in addressing the issue, stating that the ministry should have acted sooner. “It shouldn’t take four years to organize a barge. We are already in the third term, and students and teachers are gearing up for exams,” he remarked.
Despite the setbacks, Goundar expressed gratitude towards the school management and local residents for establishing temporary learning environments, which have allowed educational activities to persist for the children. Kuruleca also confirmed that there are no other schools in the North facing unresolved damage from natural disasters.