Schools in Fiji to be rebuilt

Fiji's Prime Minister with Australia's Pacific Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. She says new buildings will be built to Category 5 standard. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet

Schools in Fiji are set to be rebuilt thanks to international aid and the government’s Adopt a School programme.

The Australian Government’s Access to Quality Education Programme has sent out requests for tenders for the design, repair and reconstruction of 85 school buildings in the Western Division.

Five of the 85 new schools will be pilots of a scheme to address the needs of students with disabilities.

Over 75 schools were destroyed and over 300 others damaged, with 77,000 students affected.

Many of them have spent most of the year learning in tents.

John Rounds, from Koro Island High School, said it’s been tough.

“It’s very sad to see the students, without classrooms, learning in the tent, during the hot and sunny weather,” he said.

“It’s very hot inside the tent, we cannot teach properly. That’s all that happened to the students. We’re still waiting for what the government will do so mostly after this year or next year.”

SOURCE: RADIO NEW ZEALAND