Students at Valelawa Primary School in Macuata are continuing their education in improvised recycled tents, a situation they have faced since last year. The classrooms for Years 3 to 6 are set up in these tents due to safety concerns; the wooden structure that previously housed their classes began to shake early last year, prompting immediate action to ensure the safety of the students.

School manager Dharmendra Prasad confirmed that the tents do leak during heavy rainfall, stating that the conditions are indeed challenging. The tents were originally used by Dreketi Primary School, which suffered damage from Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.

In a hopeful development, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro is scheduled to visit Valelawa Primary School, potentially paving the way for improvements to the current situation.

This scenario highlights the ongoing challenges faced by schools in the region, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. The community is hopeful for support that could lead to the construction of more permanent and safer educational facilities for the students.

Overall, while the use of tents as classrooms is far from ideal, the determination of the students and teachers to continue learning demonstrates resilience in the face of adversity.