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, conducted inspections of Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka yesterday.
The school was severely damaged by a fire on Saturday, October 12, 2024, which destroyed the school office, four classrooms, and the Computer Lab. The National Fire Authority responded, successfully containing the fire and saving the Library, the Early Childhood Education classroom, and the school toilets.
Minister Nalumisa assured the school community that temporary arrangements would be made to facilitate the continuation of students’ education. Early Childhood Education students will use their classroom, while Years 1-2 will be accommodated in the library. Students in Years 5-6 will utilize a vacant teacher’s quarters, and those in Years 3, 4, 7, and 8 will learn in a tent provided by UNICEF as a temporary classroom.
Additionally, teachers and students will receive counseling and psychosocial support this week.
Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School currently has 49 students enrolled, including 38 from Year 1 to Year 8 and 11 in Early Childhood Education.
The Fiji Police Force and the National Fire Authority have launched investigations to determine the potential cause of the fire.