New Dorm for QVS:A-G
Anew dormitory with a design conducive for students will be built for Queen Victoria School, says Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum.
In a talanoa session with the QVS Parents Teachers Association and QVS Old Scholars Association, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum responded to queries by Anasa Vocea. Mr Vocea said the dormitory was destroyed by Cyclone Winston and was built by the Indonesian Army however it was deemed not safe. He said some students had to be billeted in the dining area. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the QVS and St John’s College dormitories were built by the Indonesian and United States of America Army respectively.
“It was an oversight at that time. After these schools were built, the Fiji Institute of Engineers said the schools were not safe,” he said.
“Now all construction projects are overseen by the Construction Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Economy.
“We have had talks with Indonesia and they agreed to give four million dollars. This time we will be doing the construction.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said they had a new plan for dormitories at the school. He said the new plan was a shift away from the traditional open dormitory style. There will be rooms and quieter area for studies. He added the other focus was on the classrooms. It was highlighted that classrooms were being constructed in either double or triple storey blocks to ensure teachers were closer to students. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said work was also underway to get students’ technological aids as well.