Valelawa Primary School in Macuata continues to hold classes in makeshift tents, an ongoing issue shared by several other schools in the region, including Laucala District School in Cakaudrove and the school in Yadua Village, Bua. These institutions have faced challenges due to classroom damage caused by severe weather events. For instance, Laucala District School was impacted by a landslide in 2016, while Yadua Village School was affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020.
Valelawa Primary School, originally established by parents 70 years ago, has experienced significant structural issues, with its wooden foundation beginning to shake earlier this year. Hemant Kumar, one of the school’s trustees, explained that after notifying the Ministry of Education, an inspection was conducted by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), which found no termite infestations. Subsequently, the ministry provided two tents for students in grades three through six, repurposed from another school that had also suffered due to the cyclone.
These tents, described as old and inadequate, leak during heavy rain and lack ventilation in hot weather. Approximately 70 students and four teachers have been using the tents for over six months. A parent expressed concern about the lack of communication regarding the situation, stating that no meetings were held to inform families about the transition from classrooms to tents.
Students have voiced their discomfort, with one comparing the tents to animal shelters, recounting an incident involving goat feces inside a tent. Another student articulated her desire to become a doctor but hoped the current conditions would not hinder her educational aspirations. Teachers have remained silent about their struggles, as they are awaiting a $45,000 grant from the Ministry of Education to repair another building damaged during the cyclone.
In a response to inquiries about the tents, MOE Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca claimed she was unaware of the students’ situation, stating that only two maritime primary schools were known to her. Following her visit, an email for further information went unanswered.
To address their financial needs, Valelawa Primary School plans to hold a two-day bazaar on October 19 and 20, aiming to raise $1,500 for a bank account necessary for managing funds related to school development. Dhirendra Prasad, the school manager, indicated that while former students would be approached for support, immediate priority lies in building a facility for early childhood education before addressing the conditions in which older students are currently housed.