New space rule may cost clasrooms

A proposed increase in classroom space per student from 1.2 to 1.5 square metres could force schools to build additional rooms.

Opposition MP Parveen Bala, at the Standing Committee on Social Affairs on Wednesday, questioned Ministry of Education officials over the Public Health Amendment Bill 2026.

Mr Bala said existing classrooms were built to accommodate 32 students under the current 1.2 square metre standard, and raising this to 1.5 square metres would reduce that number.

“If the ministry is going to propose 1.5, then the number of students will go down,” Mr Bala said.

“Then there will be a requirement for additional rooms. Where will these rooms come from?”

Mr Raibe Baptist told the committee the ministry had adopted the higher figure from Australian education standards, saying newer classrooms measuring eight metres by eight metres, up from the previous 8m by 6.1m, justified more space per child.

Ministry of Health National WASH Coordinator Toga Vosataki said 1.5 square metres was only a recommended minimum, not compulsory, to reduce the risk of illness spreading between students.

“The closer they are together, the more the possibility of it spreading,” Mr Vosataki said. “We are actually for anything that is more than 1.2.”

Committee chairperson Iliesa Vanawalu said any change had to align with Fiji’s own building bylaws rather than foreign standards.

He confirmed the space measurement would be considered as part of the ministry’s written submission before the bill is finalised.

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