Urgent Repairs Needed: $3 Million to Save Lautoka’s Saint Thomas Primary School!

Saint Thomas Primary School in Lautoka is currently facing a significant challenge, needing about $3 million to repair its buildings, which have suffered severe damage due to termite infestations. This situation is critical as seven of the school’s classrooms have been deemed unsafe, forcing the management to make urgent plans for repairs.

Father Veremo Dovarua, the school’s manager, indicated that four temporary classrooms are under construction as a stopgap measure while they work towards a more long-term solution. The funds required will not only cover the construction of two new classroom blocks but also an administration block and office. Currently, the school has resorted to using tents as temporary classrooms for displaced students.

Continued fundraising efforts are in place, with the latest being initiated during the school’s 100th anniversary celebrations, and there is hope that this will yield further support for the required repairs. The school is also awaiting the remaining portion of its Free Education Grant (FEG) from the Ministry of Education to continue the necessary repairs.

This situation at Saint Thomas Primary parallels ongoing issues faced by other schools in Fiji, particularly Valelawa Primary School, which has been using tents due to similar challenges from termite infestations and structural damage. The urgency of these issues highlights the critical need for robust investment in educational infrastructure in the area.

The government has recognized the importance of addressing school infrastructure, especially given the rising concerns regarding safety and suitability for learning amid pest infestations and natural disasters. There is a collective call for continued support and proactive measures to ensure that students have access to safe and conducive learning environments.

In the face of these challenges, there remains optimism within the community that support from former students and the broader public can help facilitate positive change. Initiatives to improve educational facilities not only enhance the learning experience but also pave the way for a better future for the children attending these schools.