The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy this week continues to present school essentials and stationery to the children in schools affected by Cyclone Winston in the Western Division today.
Minister Reddy visited more than twelve affected schools in the interior of Ba/ Tavua district on Wednesday 9th March 2016. These included Ba Muslim Primary school, Vatulaulau Sanatan Primary school, Moto Sanatan Primary school, Balevuto Public school, Nukuloa Primary school, Naloto District school, Namosau Methodist School, Naruku Primary school, Talaiya Muslim Primary school, Nacaci Hindu school, Nakoroboya Primary school and Veisaru Sanatan Dharam school.
The Minister delivered school bags, stationery packs and exercise books to the students. Minister Reddy, while distributing the relief packs, comforted the students and reminded them that they will be assisted all along the way. He added that the priority area for the Ministry was to see that all children return to school and are well-resourced to continue their education.
The schools affected had suffered major damage to infrastructure, including buildings, school furniture, computer labs, science labs equipment, school texts and library books and with major facilities totally ravaged. The schools have been supplied with temporary tents which will be used for classes while repair works to the buildings will continue.
Minister Reddy also urged the school heads, teachers and members of the community to work together in ensuring that children return to school.
Minister Reddy said that it was critical that the children are supported, guided and encouraged so that they can overcome the trauma of the cyclone. The Minister asked the teachers to be patient and not pressure students to wear uniforms or shoes given the destruction to personal belongings of families. He reiterated that the devastation caused by the cyclone must not derail the education of our children and that the Bainimarama Government is fully committed towards ensuring quality education to all.
Minister Reddy will continue with his tour of Western schools tomorrow.