Central and Eastern schools to open today

Schools in the Central and Eastern Divisions will reopen today, while schools in the Western Division will remain closed.

Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, advises that all schools will be in full and normal operation by next Monday, April 13th.

He adds that all schools in the Northern Division will continue operating as normal.

Radrodro says this decision is based on the latest situational reports and in consultation with the National Disaster Risk Management Office.

He adds that current assessments indicate that several evacuation centres remain active in the Western Division, including three in Ba and Tavua, eleven schools across Lautoka, Nadi and Yasawa, six in Ra, and one in Nadroga/Navosa.

The Minister says, in addition, many affected areas in the Western Division continue to experience power and water disruptions, and some access routes remain unsafe.

He says the Ministry also notes that many students travel significant distances to school, which may pose further risks under the current conditions.

He says that given these ongoing challenges, the safety of all students remains the highest priority.

The Minister is advising parents and guardians to keep children at home where schools remain closed.

He also stresses that children should not attempt to cross flooded areas under any circumstances and should instead engage in home-based learning activities such as reading and revision during this period.

Radrodro says all Heads of Schools are to provide regular updates and liaise with their Divisional Education Offices on their teachers and learning activities.

He says the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.