Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has called on government officials to prioritise reconstruction and repair works on schools in the rural and remote areas.
This is after a school manager in Naitasiri called for government assistance to repair two classrooms that are in derelict conditions.
In his efforts to hear the views and concerns of the people directly, PM Bainimarama held a short talanoa session with the occupants of Viria during one of his visits to the remote village.
Viria Public School manager, Rajendra Prakash asked for a $30,000 grant from Government for the repair of two wooden classrooms that needs urgent attention.
“Basically these classrooms are going to fall apart and that was why we had requested for the aid from Government,” Mr Prakash said.
“I am happy to hear the PM assure us of the request being placed on the priority list for next year.”
Principal education officer, Matavuso Kotobalavu told the PM that there was a program funded by Australian Aid (AusAid) called Access to Quality Education that could assist.
He said the provisions for building grants fell under the ambits of the Ministry of Provincial Development and not with the Education Ministry but assistance could be given through the AusAid funded program.
“Under the five-year program, 30 schools have been identified for assistance. The entire budget for the program is $9m per year,” Mr Kotobalavu said.
However, the program calls for a lot of data and is looking at the social index, as only the poorest schools will be assisted.
“As found during the feasibility study, it is mostly the rural and remote schools that require a lot of assistance,” Mr Kotobalavu said.
“Also, schools in squatter settlements are quite poor and while the program does not build new schools, it assists in repairs and reconstruction of existing structures.”