Villagers of Nasoqo in Naitasiri are calling on the government to provide a school in their village for Year 1 to Year 4 as it’s becoming a challenge for parents sending their children to school every Monday and only for their children to return home every Friday.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Nasoqo Turaga ni Koro, Waqa Navukula says parents worry about how their children will cope without their presence.
He says more than 20 children from his village attend Nabobuco District School, with only one parent assigned each week to prepare meals for the students.
He also highlighted that many Year 1 and Year 2 students cannot yet dress themselves or take care of their own needs, yet they are away for a week to study.
The Turaga ni Koro also highlighted social issues occurring in the country, such as relatives sexually abusing family members, which is something they do not want their children to experience.
He says the villagers are requesting the government to provide a school for Years 1 to 4 in their village before the children transfer to Nabobuco District School.
He adds by Year 5, children can wash their clothes and look after themselves more independently.
Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro says they have noted the concerns raised, especially the requests from surrounding villages, including Nabobuco, Roma, Nasoqo, and Nasiriti.
Radrodro says a survey and study would need to be conducted to assess the viability of this option, given that teachers would need to be provided and they also have the responsibility of looking after them.
He says they have been in government for two years and they will consider seriously on how best they can mitigate the concerns this village has been facing.
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