Kadavu mother renews plea for safe school crossing
She said families had repeatedly hoped the issue would be addressed, but little had changed.
Tuesday 28 July 2026 | 17:30
Children from Nasegai Village in Kadavu have spent more than a decade risking their lives crossing a river to get to school, prompting renewed calls for Government to provide a safe crossing.
The long-standing concern was raised by parent Selina Waqatokona during the Kadavu Provincial Council meeting yesterday, where she appealed for urgent action to protect students attending Nasegai District School.
Ms Waqatokona said generations of children had walked about 500 metres and crossed the river on foot each school day because there was no bridge or other safe access.
Related stories
"For more than 10 years our children have been making this journey every day. When the river rises after heavy rain, parents live in fear because their children's lives are at risk."
She said families had repeatedly hoped the issue would be addressed, but little had changed.
"Education should never come at the cost of a child's safety. We are simply asking for a safe way for our children to get to school without risking their lives."
Ms Waqatokona urged authorities to prioritise the construction of a bridge or another permanent solution to ensure children could travel to and from school safely throughout the year.
She said the issue had affected the community for years and required urgent attention before a tragedy occurred.
The concern was among several development issues discussed at the Kadavu Provincial Council meeting, where village representatives highlighted infrastructure challenges affecting communities across the province.
Ms Waqatokona said she hoped the appeal would lead to swift action so children in Nasegai Village would no longer have to risk their safety to receive an education.
