Termite Crisis Forces Students Back to Make-Shift Classes in Fiji

Students at Lovu Sangam Primary School in Lautoka are currently faced with a challenging learning environment, as they have been forced to return to termite-infested classrooms due to the extreme heat. The school, which accommodates about 610 students, found a temporary solution earlier this year by erecting tents for classes after a ceiling collapse revealed a severe termite issue. School Manager Parasram Goundar indicated that the temporary measure has now become necessary once again as temperatures rise, pushing students back into the unsafe conditions.

Goundar explained that while new support beams have been installed to temporarily hold the existing ceiling, this fix is insufficient for long-term use. The school discovered the extent of the termite infestation when the ceiling collapsed, fortunately when no one was present. Previous incidents of minor infestations had been reported to the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, but this latest discovery underscores the urgent need for comprehensive repairs and evaluations.

In response to these challenges, the school management is exploring a long-term solution, which may involve constructing a more resilient structure using steel, as opposed to wood, to prevent future infestations. They are currently conducting scoping works and collecting quotations to determine costs, aiming to address the situation as expediently as possible.

This situation at Lovu Sangam Primary is not unique, as several schools in Fiji’s Western Division have faced similar challenges due to termite infestations, which have displaced students into temporary tents. For instance, the Education Ministry has previously assisted schools like Saint Thomas Primary by providing tents and initiating repair works, highlighting a widespread issue that requires urgent government attention and support.

As renovations and discussions about better infrastructure continue, there exists an uplifting sense of resilience among the community, as they rally together to secure a safer environment for their children to learn. Initiatives like these demonstrate the commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure in Fiji, as affected students and schools hope for improved conditions in the near future.