For the past month, children in Cogea have been walking about a kilometre to reach the nearest roadside to catch transportation to school. Village headman Rusiate Senicevuva stated this is due to the lack of a rural service vehicle provider.
“The students, many from remote villages in Cogea, have had to adjust their daily routines to accommodate the long walk,” he said. Mr. Senicevuva explained that they leave their homes early in the morning to ensure timely arrival at school.
“The walk, while not extremely long, is arduous due to the weather conditions and the lack of proper paths in some areas,” he added.
Mr. Senicevuva expressed his concern over the children’s daily trek. “The journey is particularly tough during the rainy season when the roads become muddy and slippery,” he said, noting that bad weather causes some students to arrive late or miss classes entirely.
“When students are late or miss school, it affects their learning and overall performance.”
Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca emphasized that every rural service vehicle provider is obligated to serve the routes approved by authorities. Kuruleca mentioned that the ministry is aware of the issue and is working to resolve it.