Opposition MP Ketan Lal has called on the Ministry for Education to shut down schools affected by the upcoming water cuts announced by the Water Authority of Fiji. In his statement, Lal expressed concern over the scheduled disruptions, which will impact several areas in the central division, highlighting serious health and safety risks for both students and teachers if schools remain open without sufficient water supply.
Lal criticized the Ministry’s decision to keep these schools operational, emphasizing that the health and safety of children should always be the top priority. He urged the Ministry to provide adequate water supplies or alternative sources, such as water tanks, standpipes, or bottled water, to ensure hygiene standards are met.
The Opposition MP insisted that the Ministry collaborate with the Water Authority of Fiji and other relevant bodies to develop contingency plans that would minimize disruptions to education. He stressed that it is unacceptable for students to be in environments that lack the basic facilities essential for their health and safety.
Lal concluded by urging the Minister for Education to prioritize the well-being of students and make the responsible choice to temporarily close schools that will be significantly impacted by the water cuts until the issue is fully resolved.