The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy handed over Navesau Adventist High School, yesterday.

The school, which is located along the Kings Road in Wainibuka, Tailevu, and is run by the Seventh-Day  Adventist Church. It was severely damaged by Cyclone Winston. The 290 boarding students were relocated to Fulton College.

Mr Reddy himself visited Navesau Adventist High School on March 18 to assess the extent of the damage and arranged for the quick repairs of the school facilities.

Kartika Construction Company offered to finance and undertake repairs of the Navesau school dormitory and dining hall and it has been completed.

The company paid over $100,000 for full construction, that is, materials and labour.

Classes commenced yesterday.

“In the immediate aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston, our first priority was to ensure the protection and wellbeing of our children.

“We realised the extensive scope of support needed by the affected students and schools and our Ministry has been continuously strategising to meet these demands,” Mr Reddy said.

“The devastation that this institution encountered was overwhelming but that did not deter us to get up and rebuild.

“The disaster did halt our journey, but we have come out stronger and the reopening of this school is a testimony of our resilience and solidarity,” the Education Minister added.

“We have an education dream, that is to ensure that all Fijian children have access to an equitable, accessible and quality education and this dream was not dampened or destroyed by Winston and will never be never mind how strong any disaster.

“The Navesau community and neighbouring villages and settlement were delivered what we promised after the cyclone. I now challenge you all to get behind your children and support them to work hard and fulfill your dreams of educational success.

“Become part of what we want to achieve and let us unite in the best interests of the child. We will look after the children in every aspect. You don’t have to worry about anything,” Mr Reddy said.

“Children, we want you to work hard and explore your dreams and dear parents, we want you all to be the most important guiding and motivating factor for your child.

“I thank the kind gesture shown by Mr Steven Naidu, the CEO of Kartika Construction Company and Mr Mohammed Harun, the CEO of Classic Paints, who came on board to assist in the plight of the Navesau Adventist High School students.

“I also thank the leaders of the SDA Church who immediately provided you, the students, with an alternative place to study so that your academic work is not affected. I am sure that this act of generosity will live in the hearts of the Navesau school family forever,” said Mr Reddy.

The Education Director for Seventh-day Adventist Church, Fiji expressed his sincere appreciation to the Minister for the assistance that the Ministry and the Government has provided from the beginning in directing help to the school through the construction company and other forms of assistance like food rations, fees and boarding grants.

Mr Naidu and Mr Harun said it was a privilege to help out and both companies have pledged to continue assisting Navesau Adventist High School.