Maciu Nalumisa, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, along with Iliesa Vanawalu, the Assistant Minister for Education, and Ms. Selina Kuruleca, the Permanent Secretary, inspected Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka yesterday.
The school experienced extensive damage from a fire that occurred on Saturday, October 12, 2024, which resulted in the loss of the school office, four classrooms, and the Computer Lab. Fortunately, the National Fire Authority was able to control the blaze, preserving the Library, the Early Childhood Education classroom, and the school restrooms.
Minister Nalumisa reassured the school community that temporary arrangements would be implemented to ensure that students can continue their education. Early Childhood Education students will remain in their classroom, while students in Years 1 and 2 will utilize the school Library. Students in Years 5 and 6 will occupy a vacant teacher’s quarters, and those in Years 3, 4, 7, and 8 will be accommodated in a tent provided by UNICEF as a temporary classroom solution.
This week, both teachers and students will receive counseling and psychosocial support. Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School currently has 49 students enrolled, with 38 from Year 1 to Year 8 and 11 in Early Childhood Education.
The Fiji Police Force and the National Fire Authority are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the fire.