All schools to open by January 18
All schools will be opened on January 18, says Minister for Defence, Natural Disaster and Management Inia Seruiratu.
This includes schools that were used as evacuation centres during Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
Mr Seruiratu said majority of the schools that were damaged by the cyclone had been fixed, while some had tents erected.
This follows rehabilitation work by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Australian Defence Forces
“Water Authority of Fiji and Energy Fiji are still working on the ground restoring supplies,” Mr Seruiratu said. Major Hiagi Ieli of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces said 119 schools were damaged.
These schools had a total roll of students.
He said 99 schools were from the three provinces of Northern Division, 16 in Lau, one in Lomaitivi and the rest in Yasawa, Nadi and Lautoka.
“The Ministry of Education has revealed that over the last three they faced challenges like dealing with staff quarters issues, meeting timelines, logistics and communities delaying response to 11775 their respective schools in rebuilding,” Major Ieli said.
About 842 teachers were also affected. Meanwhile, 13 evacuation centers are still open with 154 evacuees.
“Some are village halls and private houses and we expecting it to close by end of this week,” Major Ieli said.
“We are into phase two now working on restoration and rehabilitation of focused areas.”
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said he was impressed with the rate of restoration work.
Mr Bainimarama is on a three-day tour in Vanua Levu.