Two Year Five students, whose homes were partly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Yasa, are happy to be in school yesterday, despite having their classes in tents or temporary learning space, at Dreketi Primary School in Macuata Province.

Shanav Sunil, sitting beside Grace Senimili, conversed both in iTaukei and Hindi to help each other understand what their teacher Noleen Singh was saying.

Ten-year-old Shanav of Navimoli Settlement in Dreketi said two roofing irons were blown away from his house and some of the belongings were soaked on December 17.

“I will never forget what I heard and saw that night,” Shanav said.

“My parents managed to recover from the loss although they are not working.”

The youngest of three siblings said he felt great relief to be in school at least he could get over the trauma he was experiencing.

Ten year-old Grace of Vunisea Village in Dreketi said her house was also partly damaged, but her parents had managed to get it repaired.

“I feel so excited to be in school even though the environment is different,” she said.

“I believe we will get back into our classrooms soon.”

The youngest of four siblings said studying in a tent was no different from being in a wooden or concrete classroom.

Dreketi Primary students were more than happy to start their classes with joy. Photo: Shratika Naidu

UNICEF Pacific education specialist Iosefo Volau said the students were comfortably studying in tents as they were provided with desks, chairs and other stationery supplies.

He thanked all the partners, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia, Australian Defence Forces, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Ministry of Education, National Disaster Management Office for helping in setting up the tents.

Dreketi Primary School head teacher Shalen Vijay said 194 students and nine teachers came to school with an 80 per cent attendance.

“All the students came in uniform and we are very happy and thankful to parents for sending their children to school,” Mr Vijay said.

“TC Yasa damaged our six classrooms and kindergarten.”

He said students from Year One to Eight were having classes in six tents.

The school received a surprise visit from the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Inia Seruiratu.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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