Two maritime schools in Fiji’s Northern Division are still without proper classrooms, several years after they were damaged by natural disasters. Laucala District School in Dreketi Village on Qamea Island suffered significant damage from a landslide in December 2016. Yadua Village School on Yadua Island was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.
Since these incidents, students have been studying in temporary facilities, including village halls and community centers, while waiting for the construction of new classrooms. School management teams have made interim arrangements for students while anticipating intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Selina Kuruleca, the Permanent Secretary for Education, stated that the budget for the 2024-2025 financial year includes funds for rebuilding classrooms at both schools. However, she noted that there are logistical challenges in transporting building materials to these island schools.
“We are collaborating with other government ministries to ensure this is completed promptly, as the barge must be able to reach these schools,” Ms. Kuruleca explained. She emphasized that neither the ministry nor the affected communities want children to continue studying in tents.
Additionally, Ms. Kuruleca mentioned that the ministry is working with communities and corporate organizations that have offered assistance in the rehabilitation efforts.
Muniappa Goundar, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, criticized the prolonged delay, arguing that the ministry should have acted 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 stated.
Despite the setbacks, he expressed gratitude to school management and local communities for their efforts in creating temporary learning spaces, which have allowed education to continue for the children. Ms. Kuruleca also confirmed that there are no other schools in the North with unresolved damage from natural disasters.