‘A risky affair’
AS many as 100 students from two villages in Ra cross a creek twice a day to get to school.
During fine weather Wainisici Creek is easily traversed, but when there is rainfall, it poses a risk to the children’s safety.
Students attending Mataso Primary School in Nakorotubu are forced to cross the creek, a risky affair, especially after a heavy downpour.
Narikoso Village headman, Kasiniro Rataveti said there was a foot crossing, but it was often submerged, especially after heavy rain.
He said torrential rain on Monday resulted in the creek level rising significantly and children were forced to cross the creek on horseback with the assistance of parents and village elders.
“They waited for the water level to go down, but it was receding very slowly going so the parents had to come and assist in taking their children across,” he said.
Mr Rataveti said the issue was a long-standing one and children were sometimes too scared to go across because of the strong currents.
“Teachers at the school always advise parents to come and help if the bridge under water.”
Mr Rataveti said they were hoping a better bridge could be built.
“The old bridge is easily submerged if there is continuous rainfall because it is very low.”
He said students from Nakorovou Village also cross the same creek daily to attend school and they were more at a disadvantage because they did not have a bridge.
Emori Manalagi of Nakorovou said his grandson attended Bayly Memorial School and crossed the river twice a day.
“Every time there is heavy rain, we always stand-by to take our children across the creek,” he said.
“This issue was faced by our fathers, our children and now our grandchildren.”
There are 38 students from Nakorovou and more than 50 from Narikoso Village that attend Mataso Primary School, while nine students attend Bayly Memorial School.