The Ministry of Education says Government boarding schools, Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) and Queen Victoria School (QVS), which have been undergoing renovation works, will be ready to accommodate students on Monday, January 13th.

Last year, fire razed the Degei House building, one of the four hostel units housing the RKS boarders, to the ground.

The Ministry of Education is working with all stakeholders to rebuild the school dormitories and improve the overall infrastructure of the Lodoni, Tailevu-based school.

The above renovation is funded by savings from RKS Free Education Grant and hostel grant.

The ministry conveys its sincere appreciation to parents and old scholars for all the help rendered to the schools so far and the communal solidarity shown during the time of crisis. The new hostel is being built on an old existing structure while the engineers are working on establishing the strength of the remaining burned building.

Minister for Education Rosy Akbar (third from left) at Queen Victoria School. Photo: DEPTFO News

The renovation of the three dormitories housing the students from the previously burned Degei House is near completion. This should resolve the boarding need at the school. The school has been reduced to almost 800 students to avoid overcrowding and strain on resources.

At Matavatucou for QVS, a state-of-the-art, three-storey building is near completion. This will house additional rooms after the devastation left behind by Tropical Cyclone Winston. The rooms will cater for three streams of Year 12, three streams of Year 13, a staff room and gym.

A new hostel project for QVS will be funded by the Indonesian Government.

The construction work will be completed this year depending on resource availability and favourable weather conditions. A final inspection will be carried out at RKS on Sunday to ensure the school is prepared to receive the students on Monday, January 13 for the new school year.

The ministry is committed to ensuring that an amicable learning environment is created to support learning and teaching in our schools.