Thirty-four students at Delana Methodist High School in Levuka, Ovalau, are currently attending classes in tents following a fire incident that destroyed one of their classrooms on May 23 of this year. The students from Year 10A have been temporarily relocated to the school’s vocational workshop while they await further action from the relevant authorities.
Assistant principal Golden Varea confirmed that the building was completely engulfed in flames during the fire, though its unique architectural design—featuring cement barriers—prevented the blaze from spreading to adjacent classrooms. Varea noted that the Ministry of Education is handling the repairs and improvements needed for the damaged classroom, with the church stating they are unable to fund these repairs.
In response to this unfortunate event, UNICEF has provided two tents, allowing classes for social science, history, and geography to continue despite the circumstances. Educational officials are closely monitoring the situation, and the Ministry of Education is expected to take immediate steps towards repairing the damaged facilities.
This incident is part of a broader challenge faced by schools in Fiji, as highlighted by a recent fire at Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School that also disrupted education for its students. Authorities there are coordinating with UNICEF to ensure that students can continue their learning in temporary accommodations, echoing the resilience displayed by Delana Methodist High School.
Both schools have taken proactive measures to support the affected students and staff during this transitional phase. The response from educational authorities demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that learning continues despite setbacks, fostering a spirit of hope and resilience in the school communities.
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