Opposition Member of Parliament Ketan Lal has called on the Ministry of Education to shut down schools affected by planned water cuts announced by the Water Authority of Fiji. In his statement, Lal emphasized that these impending disruptions will severely impact several areas in the central division, posing significant health and safety risks for both students and teachers if schools continue to operate without sufficient water supply. He expressed deep concern over the Ministry’s decision not to close the affected schools.
Lal insisted that the health and safety of children should never be at risk. He urged the Ministry to provide these schools with adequate water supplies or alternative sources, such as water tanks, standpipes, or bottled water, to uphold hygiene standards.
Furthermore, the Opposition MP called for the Ministry to collaborate with the Water Authority of Fiji and other relevant agencies to develop contingency plans, ensuring that educational disruptions are kept to a minimum. He deemed it unacceptable for students to be placed in environments lacking essential facilities necessary for their health and safety.
“The government must take decisive action to prioritize our students and ensure that no child is put at risk. I am urging the Minister for Education to make the responsible decision and temporarily close any schools that will be severely impacted by the water cuts until the situation is fully resolved,” Lal stated.