The ongoing land lease issues are hampering the government’s plans to carry out necessary renovations at Vatuwaqa Primary School, which was severely damaged by a fire in December 2022. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro addressed the concerns in Parliament, affirming that the Ministry of Education shares the Opposition’s concerns regarding the school’s reconstruction, which has not yet started.
Radrodro explained that the school is managed by a trustee, and the Ministry needs their consent to proceed with rebuilding efforts. He acknowledged that legal advice has been sought from the Solicitor-General’s office concerning the delays caused by the trustees’ actions, but discussions are reported to be moving forward positively.
He further elaborated on the legal complexities regarding lease conditions and the current trustees’ alleged breaches. Radrodro voiced optimism, stating progress is being made towards resolving these issues.
In a previous update during April 2024, it was reported that 347 students and nine teachers had been relocated to a neighboring school following the fire. Moreover, investigations by the police were initiated to determine the cause of the fire, which was classified as suspected arson by the National Fire Authority shortly after the incident.
The Ministry remains committed to enhancing educational infrastructure and is looking to employ a dedicated Rehabilitation Unit to better handle such situations in the future. The focus on restoring Vatuwaqa Primary School underscores the government’s determination to provide a safe learning environment for all students and reflects ongoing efforts to improve school facilities across the region.
The hope lies in the proactive steps being taken to resolve these challenges, which aim to return students to a nurturing educational setting.
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