Maciu Nalumisa, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, has pledged to provide support for teachers and students at Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka, which suffered extensive damage from a fire on Saturday. The Minister, accompanied by the Assistant Minister of Education, Iliesa Vanawalu, and Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca, visited the school to assess the situation.
The fire resulted in the destruction of the school’s office, four classrooms, and the computer lab, although the library, Early Childhood Education classrooms, and toilets were saved by the National Fire Authority.
Nalumisa announced that temporary measures will be implemented, with Early Childhood Education students continuing their classes in their current classrooms, while students in Year 3, 4, 7, and 8 will use a tent provided by UNICEF for their lessons. Additionally, he highlighted that the school community would receive counseling and psychosocial support throughout the week.
In the meantime, both the police and the National Fire Authority are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.