PEOPLE TELL ABOUT SENDING CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL

AS CHILDREN PREPARE TO RETURN TO CLASSES, FIJI SUN TOOK TO THE STREETS TO FIND OUT IF PARENTS ARE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE OF SENDING THEIR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL AND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT DO TO HELP THE SITUATION

Losalini Vuiloqa, Nadi

I think many parents in Nadi are not ready to send their children back to school. I am one of the laid off workers and to me, the right time to send our children back to school is when everything returns to normal.

Farzeen Khan, Labasa

Parents are happy and ready to send their children to school. They are tirelessly working hard so that they can fulfill their needs and wants. Yes, if Government continues to give bus fare than we won’t be having any tension.

Losana Vakaloloma, Lautoka

Yes, I am ready to send my son back to school. Although I am unemployed, education is very important for my son. The only assistance that most parents want would be protective gears for their children when they return to classes.

Osea Tabua, Suva

Yes definitely, we are prepared to send our children back to school. . We plead with the Government to ensure that their school environment is safe, this is in terms of health and well-being.

Also the Government should look into assisting families of laid off workers.

Tevita Babitu, Nadi

Have one child who attends Year One.

My child is looking forward to return to school. He only needs small things like stationary.

Salanieta Lutumaitoga, Labasa

With the help of Barter for Better

Fiji we are fulfilling the basic needs of our children. We are not much prepared, but we make sure to give some stuffs to children so that they attend their classes.

Emmanuel Prasad, Lautoka

I am ready to send my child back to school, but I don’t think everyone is ready. Yes, I am working.

The assistance that parents require would be free bus assistance, free lunches and free stationery to the children from the Government.

Epeli Waqanibaravi, Suva

We are prepared to send our children back to school, but what we must understand is that it is not normal and many families are struggling.

Maybe Government assistance in widening the criteria for bus fare assistance could really help most families affected by the pandemic.

Mere Vutisa, Nadi

Yes I think it is about time to send my child back to school. My husband has been laid off from work, but I am grateful that I am still working to help support my small family. Financial assistance is needed in terms of bus fare and lunch.

Daven Prakash, Labasa

We are ready to send our children to school so that they can not be left behind and their entire syllabus can be completed for external exams. Though our working hours have been reduced we made ourselves aware that we should keep money aside for our children.

Saroj Krishna, Lautoka

I don’t have children who are in school, but I only have one grandchild and yes, his parents are ready to send him back to school.

His parents are both employed. Parents should still provide their children with their lunch from home, the only assistance that parents need is free bus fare for their children and provide hand sanitizers.

Makereta Sorovi, Suva

I think all parents must be ready to send their children back to school. There has been ample time to ensure that they are continuously made ready.

Government should offer assistance to those that need some help. Especially, families affected by the pandemic.

Iliana Narogi, Ba

I am still working, one child goes to school. I need to buy their school bags, uniforms and lunch.

Rajeshwar Sharan, Labasa

We parents are ready to send our children back to school. We are happy at least our children will be in school after a long break. Though we are affected we are praying everything should be back to normal soon.

Shabina Salma, Lautoka

I want to see first how the gathering of 100 people and the new curfew hours go about, if it is successful and there is still no virus around then I will be positive to send my children back to school. I am a mother of three children and a market vendor. I hope the Government will provide something to keep the children safe at this time.

Senirosi Davuiqalita, Suva

I am prepared to send my daughter back to Kindergarten.

I think the Government should also assist parents with school supplies like stationary and uniforms that are mandatory.

So it’ll be of huge help to parents.

Sitiveni Kolikaravaki, Nadi

At the moment I am not working and I am not ready to send my children back to school. Lunch and bus fare assistance are required to send my children back to school.

Dalip Bali, Labasa

We are ready to send our children back to school. We are working towards giving them their basic needs so they will not miss their classes. Working hours are reduced, but we have saved enough money to send them to school again.

Filisi Brown, Lautoka

I don’t think parents are ready to send their children back to school. My son-in-law is working and times now are very hard.

I feel that the most important thing is that parents need assistance with lunch.

Kalesi Bulamaibau, Suva

No, not well equipped to undergo normal classes at school.

If there can be initiatives for back to school for those affected with employment during this pandemic.