Much-needed renovation works at Dreketi Central College in Macuata Province will start soon after it raised $49,434 during a three days carnival.

The carnival was from August 23 to 25.

The school’s last carnival was held more than a decade ago.

College vice principal and event coordinator Atish Lal said the school management and teachers raised the money to paint four classroom blocks, its roof and construct one ablution block of 12 toilets and two bathrooms.

“Thanks to Vodafone Fiji Limited for being our major sponsor, other sponsors, ex-scholars, teachers, school management, Tui Dreketi and Dreketi community, we were able to raise at least something to start off with,” Mr Lal said.

Dreketi Central College teachers with students in Macuata Province on September 12, 2023.

“Although we were not able to reach our $60,000 target we’ve decided to start with the painting project next month.”

The school was built in 1968 and after being damaged by Tropical Cyclone Yasa on December 18, 2020, there was an urgent need to repaint the structures.

“We have an ablution block, but students struggle during rainy days to access it because it is far from the classroom blocks,” he said.

Before the hurricane season the college aims to complete the painting project, lay the foundation of the ablution block and raise more funds for other expenses.

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