$78,050 Funding from Japan will upgrade school’s toilet facilities
The project for the school would enhance sanitation and hygiene standards: Hada
Nasekula District School in Labasa received assistance worth $78,050 from the Japanese Government, yesterday.
The funding will be for a school project that includes the construction of a nine-pan toilet block and upgrading of existing toilet facilities for the school.
It will also be for the construction of an additional four-pan toilet block for the kindergarten and installation of a 10,000 litre water tank to improve water supply at the school.
The school has a roll of 140 students, which has been steadily increasing for the past two years. Chargé d’affaires ad interim Tsuguyoshi Hada said the project for the school would enhance sanitation and hygiene standards. “A health and safety assessment conducted by the Local Authority in 2016 revealed that the school urgently required an upgrading of its toilet blocks for all classes,” Mr Hada said.
“The school’s current toilet block does not have adequate ventilation and reliable water supply system which poses health risks to both students and staff. “Furthermore, the kindergarten is located 30 meters away from the existing toilet block, making it difficult for students to access the toilet facilities.
“Recognising the difficulties faced by the school, the Embassy of Japan decided to assist in the rehabilitation of ablution toilet blocks and water supply system. “The rehabilitation works will ensure that students have access to a clean and hygienic learning environment at school,” he said. School head teacher Sisilia Cokanauto acknowledged the assistance from the Japanese Government.
“This assistance was timely because we were in greater need for proper toilet facilities,” Mrs Cokanauto said.
“The project was mooted by exscholars of Nasekula District School based in Suva.”