Minister for Education Mahendra Reddy has assured the student boarders of a high school in Wainibuka, Tailevu, that their dormitories would be opened at the earliest convenience.

“In the immediate aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston, the first priority is to ensure the protection and wellbeing of the children,” Mr Reddy said.

The assurance was made by Mr Reddy while he was visiting Navesau Adventist High School in Wainibuka to arrange for the quick repairs of the school’s facilities.

Mr Reddy commended the kind gesture of Kartika Construction Company proprietor Steven Naidu, who agreed to assist the Tailevu school.

He said he realised the extensive scope of support needed by the affected students and schools and that his ministry was strategising to meet these demands.

The 290 boarding students who are currently re-located to Fulton College were showing signs of being affected by a typhoid outbreak. The Minister has taken a stance to get them back to Navesau as soon as possible.

“Kartika Construction Company has offered to finance and undertake repairs of the Navesau School dormitory and dining hall,” he said.

Mr Naidu visited the school with Mr Reddy yesterday and assessed the renovation works to be carried out.

Mr Naidu has assured Mr Reddy that work should be completed in three weeks.

The construction company will complete renovation on the boys’ dormitory, including the ablution block and the dining hall.

Mr Reddy told the school management that other renovation works to the girls’ dormitory, classrooms and teachers quarters should be carried out by the school management using the Free Education Grant.