Two maritime schools in Fiji’s Northern Division are continuing to function without proper classrooms, long after suffering damage from natural disasters. The Laucala District School in Dreketi Village on Qamea Island was significantly impacted by a landslide in December 2016, while the Yadua Village School on Yadua Island in Bua was affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.
Since these events, students have been attending classes in makeshift shelters, village halls, and community centers as they await the construction of suitable classrooms. School management teams have implemented temporary solutions, but they are dependent on intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Permanent Secretary for Education, Selina Kuruleca, has confirmed that funding for rebuilding classrooms at these schools is included in the budget for the 2024-2025 financial year. However, she mentioned facing logistical obstacles regarding the transport of building materials to these remote locations.
“We are coordinating with other government ministries to ensure timely completion because the barge must be able to reach these schools,” Ms. Kuruleca stated. She emphasized that both the ministry and the affected communities are eager to see children no longer studying in tents.
Collaboration is ongoing with communities and corporate partners who have offered support for the rehabilitation efforts. However, Muniappa Goundar, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, criticized the prolonged delay, suggesting the ministry should have initiated arrangements sooner.
“It shouldn’t take four years to organize a barge. We’re already in the third term, and students and teachers are preparing for exams,” Mr. Goundar expressed. Despite the challenges, he commended the school management and local villagers for their initiatives to establish temporary learning environments that have allowed educational activities to continue.
Ms. Kuruleca also noted that there are no other schools in the Northern Division facing unresolved damage from natural disasters.