Valelawa Primary School in Macuata continues to hold classes in recycled tents, a situation also faced by other schools in Yadua Village, Bua, and Laucala District School on Qamea Island. These schools have been forced to use temporary shelters after their classrooms were damaged in natural disasters. Laucala District School suffered a landslide in 2016, while Yadua Village School was affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.
Valelawa Primary School, established by parents 70 years ago with four classrooms, saw its facilities damaged during the 2020 cyclone. The school is located about an hour’s drive from Labasa Town, approximately two kilometers from the main road, without any bus service available. Hemant Kumar, one of the school’s trustees, reported that the wooden building’s foundation began shaking earlier this year, deeming it unsafe for students and staff. Following this, the Ministry of Education (MOE) was notified, and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji inspected the premises for termites, ultimately providing clearance.
The ministry then supplied two tents for students and teachers of Classes Three, Four, Five, and Six. Kumar noted that these tents, previously used at another school for a year, have deteriorated, leading to leaks during heavy rain and uncomfortable conditions during heat. The school currently accommodates 70 students and four teachers in these tents for over six months.
A former student, now a farmer, expressed his sadness that his daughter attends classes in a tent and criticized the school for not informing parents about the transition. He mentioned that there has been no communication regarding the duration of this arrangement. One male student compared the tent to a goat shelter after finding feces on the floor, while a female student highlighted the lack of movement space amidst the water leaks.
Teachers are reportedly remaining silent on the conditions due to an ongoing $45,000 grant from the MOE for materials to rebuild an early childhood education facility also affected by the cyclone.
MOE Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca stated she was unaware of the situation at Valelawa Primary during a recent visit to Labasa, despite claims that materials were being arranged for two maritime primary schools. She promised to check on the issue, but there has been no follow-up response to an email sent for updates.
In response to the school’s financial challenges, VPS manager Dhirendra Prasad announced plans for a two-day bazaar on October 19-20, aiming to raise $1,500 to create a bank account to manage school development funds. He acknowledged the need for funds to cover labor costs for constructing the preschool building, emphasizing that the situation of students studying in tents is not ideal but unavoidable under current circumstances. The school plans to engage former students for support after establishing a bank account.