Galoa Island Primary Ready But Await Water Restoration For Classes To Start
The infrastructure is good to go but the only issue is the water supply,
Monday 18 January 2021 | 21:21
Children and villagers of Galoa Island show their appreciation to members of the Australian Defence Force and to members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on January 18, 2021, for getting their island school ready in time for the beginning of the new school year which starts today. Photo: Jennis Naidu.
Seventy-three students of Galoa Island Primary School can now begin their academic year.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Republic of Fiji Military Force(RFMF) engineers managed to complete the school repairs in a mere three weeks.
The Minister of Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu, Australian Defence Force and Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel with the Regional Education Officer opened the newly-constructed building yesterday.
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The new school block has two classrooms, and a teachers’ room.
The Australian Defence Force also handed over 15 rugby balls, 15 soccer balls and 15 pumps to the school.
Despite the school been fully restored, there is no water supply at the school in Galoa.
Galoa Island head teacher Rishi Ram said that the school would open in about two days time while they solve the water issue.
“The infrastructure is good to go but the only issue is the water supply,” he said.
“The water supply has still not been able to reach the island since Tropical Cyclone Yasa.”
Mr Ram said the advice was from the Northern Divisional Education Officer.
Mr Ram said that the Category 5 cyclone caused all of the pipes to go out of place.
“The Northern Regional officer has told us to wait one or two days. In the meantime, we can clean,” Mr Ram said.
Mr Ram said the ADF personnel completed the hostel kitchen, the hostel roof with the railings and a new school block inclusive of an administrative office.
Out of the 73 children enrolled at the school, 36 students are from Yaqaqa and are boarders.
Australian Defence Team rehabilitation works:
- Repaired Galoa Island School 100 per cent
- Community efforts on Vanua Levu
- 10 buildings repaired
- Three tonnes of debris cleared
- Six electrical systems “made safe”
- 1,000,000 litres of water produced and distributed
- 165 tonnes of HA/ stores delivered: 65 tonnes by air
- 32 schools assisted (repairs, aid, supply)
- 619 ADF deployed
- 165 tonnes of HA/ stores delivered- 97 by surface
Feedback: jennis.naidu@fijisun.com.fj
