Total assessments of damages for Koro High School have hit the million-dollar mark, says Koro High School manager, Kolinio Tawake.

The school was heavily damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston in February.

The cost amount was calculated from damage assessment work done by the first visiting team of the Australian Access Quality Education Programme (AQEP).

“The construction of the 18 teachers’ quarters, six buildings, furniture for both classrooms and teachers’ offices, computers, tools for vocational studies, dormitories for both male and female students, are but some of the things in dire need for replacing,” Mr Tawake said.

Being a community-based school, he said Koro High School depends entirely on a budget of $28,000 a year.

“It would have taken over a period of 10 years for people to complete the work needed,” he said.

“With AQEP coming on board, their assistance to be the custodial parent of the school is welcomed greatly by every stakeholder within the island.”

Mr Tawake also thanked the quick response of the Minister for Education, Mahendra Reddy, for the early arrival of school text books for the year 2017.

Faced with the current situation, he also said timing and response of people assisting the school had helped in efforts to meet the new initiative of the ministry.

This is the initiative demanding higher grade passes for children in Koro.

“Teachers have been vigilant with their work, ignoring the situation that plagued the island,” he said.

Head teacher Paula Vuniwaqa was all smiles over the bustling conversations about the school’s inclusion with AQEP.

With the inclusion of AQEP, he said the future looked brighter for Koro High School.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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