Pupils face challenges Livelihood hangs in the balance ‘Fixing facilities critical for progress’
SEVERAL students of Dogotuki District School are facing challenges attending classes regularly because of the deteriorating road conditions in the area.
The district representative of Vitina, Adrea Vukica, said carriers and cars are unable to use the road, making it difficult for students.
“The road which serves as a vital route for 13 secondary school students and 23 primary students, has been in poor condition for the past two weeks,” Mr Vukica said.
As a result, he said many students had been forced to walk long distances to school.
“They often arrive late while some do not arrive at all due to the muddy road,” Mr Vukica said.
“For the past two weeks it’s been raining and the road conditions have worsened.”
While highlighting efforts to address the issue, he said he had written to the Fiji Roads Authority last year.
“They gave an assurance that upgrading work would be carried out by an FRA contractor, including the addition of gravel to improve the road conditions.
“However, no tangible improvements have been made.”
The district has an assigned road application number, 28777, indicating
MEREWALESI Nalase, a villager from Rewa, is grappling with the repercussions of the inclement weather as her livelihood hangs in the balance.
The incessant rains have disrupted her ability to sell produce, particularly shrimp, severely impacting her family’s sustenance and survival.
“My family relies on what I sell here at the market for our survival, and right now the weather has not helped us much,” she said.
“I usually wake up early with my husband to go collect whatever we get from our fishing net, but these past few days it has really been empty.”
Facing a decline in catch, she is confronted that the issue is recognised within the FRA system.
“I urged the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the situation and ensure that students can access education without hindrance.”
In response, divisional planning officer Setareki Dakuiboca said they were unaware of the challenges the students of Dogotuki faced.
“They have not yet contacted us to raise their concerns,” he said.
However, Mr Dakuiboca urged the villagers to contact their district officer.
Meanwhile, questions sent to Fiji Roads Authority remained unanswered when this edition went to print. with the daunting challenge of securing adequate income and provisions for her household.
Their reliance on shrimp sales for sustenance exacerbates the strain imposed by the adverse weather conditions.
“I sell shrimps most of the time because I have customers that are here regularly, but now they have not been coming because my supply is not meeting their demand.”
As the rain persists, Ms Nalase remains determined to navigate through this challenging period, seeking alternative avenues to sustain her family.
Yet, the uncertainty looms large, casting a shadow over the livelihoods of many like her in the village.
“I have a family to feed, so I will have to resort to other produce I can sell so my family can survive,” she says.
FIXING infrastructure is critical as it is tied to national development, says Education Ministry permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca.
Ms Kuruleca’s comment comes after issues were raised of several students of Dogotuki District School facing challenges attending classes regularly because of the deteriorating road conditions in the area.
She stressed the need for effective communication and discretion from school heads to district offices and relevant sections within the education department.
“In such instances of dirty or wet uniforms,” she said.
“These things happen, use discretion and advise our stakeholders accordingly.”
Ms Kuruleca said efforts were being made to improve road conditions in rural areas.
“I know that the Ministry of Rural Development is looking at the roads within villages,” she said.
Ms Kuruleca said the recent agreement with the Chinese government would address infrastructure issues in rural areas.