Opposition MP Ketan Lal has called on the Ministry of Education to shut down schools affected by the planned water cuts announced by the Water Authority of Fiji. In a recent statement, Lal highlighted that the anticipated disruptions, which will impact several areas in the central division, present significant health and safety risks to both students and teachers if schools remain operational without sufficient water supply.
Lal expressed concern over the Ministry’s decision not to close the affected schools, emphasizing that the health and safety of children should never be jeopardized. He stressed the importance of the Ministry providing alternative water sources, such as water tanks, standpipes, or bottled water, to maintain hygiene standards in the impacted schools.
The Opposition MP urged the Ministry to collaborate with the Water Authority and other relevant agencies to implement contingency plans and minimize any disruptions to education. He deemed it unacceptable for students to be placed in conditions lacking essential facilities for their well-being.
Lal concluded by saying that the government must act decisively to safeguard students, urging the Minister for Education to consider temporarily closing schools that will be significantly affected by the water cuts until the issue is fully addressed.