Govt support assured for Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School

There is some relief for the students of Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School in Lautoka as the Government will provide support for the school after it was damaged by a fire last Saturday.

The school was severely burnt last Saturday, where it destroyed the school office, four classrooms and the computer lab.

Officers from the National Fire Authority managed to contain the fire, saving the library, the Early Childhood Education classroom and the school toilets.

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa met with parents and teachers of the school and assured the community that temporary measures will be put in place to allow the students to continue their education.

Nalumisa was accompanied by the Assistant Minister for Education, Iliesa Vanawalu, the Education Permanent Secretary, Selina Kuruleca, DPS and the Western Division Ministry HODs.

He says Early Childhood Education students will continue to use their classroom, Years 1 and 2 will be placed in the school Library, Years 5 and 6 students will use a vacant teacher’s quarters, and Years 3, 4, 7 and 8 will be sheltered in a tent that was provided by UNICEF as a temporary classroom.

He adds the teachers and students will be provided counselling and psycho-social support this week.

Deshbandhu Vitogo Primary School has a school roll of 49 students; 38 students are enrolled from Year 1 to Year 8, and 11 students are in ECE.

Investigations are underway by the Fiji Police Force and the NFA to ascertain the possible cause of the fire.