Construction of the first two of six infant schools to cater for students living in remote and maritime area is in progress.
One of the schools is in Bua and at the moment, contractors are about to complete work on the building structure.
“I expect completion at the end of next month,” Ministry for Education permanent secretary, Dr Brij Lal said.
“The second one is in Yasawa. Materials have arrived there and at the moment workers are operating from the village community hall so lessons are going on. Work on the new building is in progress and I expect this to be completed by the end of this year.”
Government announced the establishment of six infant schools in its 2012 Budget to expand education access to the less fortunate, decrease the drop-out rate and improve facilities, especially for those in the outer islands and rural areas.
Dr Lal said the establishment of these infant schools was for students in Class One to Three and Kindergarten so that they no longer had to attend boarding schools.
“Children at the tender schooling age of six, seven and eight need to spend quality time with their parents,” the permanent secretary said.
”Work in Bua is progressing well because the weather had been favourable.
The infant school in Bua will start off with about 35 students while the one in Yasawa will cater for about 20 children.
“Work on the third infant school will start in Cakaudrove soon. This will start after the tender processes are fulfilled,” Dr Lal said.
The Education Ministry will also construct infant schools in Lekutu, Wainunu and Vatubalavu.
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