Close to 85 schools damaged by TC Yasa – Akbar

Close to 85 schools in TC Yasa affected areas have sustained some level of damage according to assessments by the Education Ministry.

Minister Rosy Akbar says some schools have sustained minimal damage where rooftops have been blown away or damaged by debris.

She says in some schools there has been severe destruction like in Lekutu Secondary School in Bua where only the Science Lab is left standing.

Akbar says she is in the Northern Division to meet with the management and heads of schools and a change in the date for the start of the new school year will depend on the discussions today and tomorrow.

She says, for now, the 2021 school year starts on the 18th of next month.

Akbar says any decision on the change in the date for the start of the new school year will be made within two weeks.

She says after meeting with the management and heads of schools they will also be able to decide which schools can be repaired urgently using the available school grants and decide on the long term plans for the schools that have been destroyed.

The Minister for Education is meeting with the school heads and managements at Labasa College today.