Two maritime schools in Fiji’s Northern Division are still operating without proper classrooms, several years after they were damaged by natural disasters. Laucala District School, situated in Dreketi Village on Qamea Island, suffered significant damage from a landslide in December 2016, while Yadua Village School on Yadua Island was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.
Since their respective disasters, students have been attending classes in temporary structures, including village halls and community centers, as they await the construction of new classrooms. School management teams have arranged temporary solutions for students while looking for intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Permanent Secretary for Education, Selina Kuruleca, has announced that the budget for the 2024-2025 financial year includes funds to rebuild these classrooms. However, she noted that there are logistical challenges in transporting building materials to these remote islands. “We are working with other government ministries to ensure this is completed in a timely manner, as the barge must be able to access these schools,” Kuruleca stated.
She emphasized that the ministry, along with the affected communities, is eager for children to stop studying in tents. Efforts are also being made to collaborate with communities and corporate partners to assist in the rehabilitation process.
The Fiji Teachers Union’s general secretary, Muniappa Goundar, criticized the prolonged delay, arguing that the ministry should have undertaken arrangements sooner. “It shouldn’t take four years to organize a barge. We are already in the third term, and students and teachers are preparing for exams,” Goundar remarked. Despite these setbacks, he expressed gratitude towards the school management and local villagers for establishing temporary learning spaces, ensuring that education continues for the children.
Kuruleca confirmed there are no other schools in the Northern Division with unresolved damage from natural disasters.