Education Minister Rosy Akbar claims that The Fiji Times failed to conduct thorough research when it published an article on July 17, highlighting the plight of about 40 students from Navunikavi Catholic School in the interior of Namosi.
Ms Akbar said the newspaper should have done thorough research to avoid causing confusion during these trying times.
A team from this newspaper travelled to the village of Saliadrau on July 14 to cover the issue.
The article highlighted the plight of students who trekked rugged terrain and crossed a river daily to get to school.
She said the photo of students crossing a stream carrying mattresses was misleading.
Ms Akbar said the school had received a grant from the ministry and parents informed that students could start boarding after the grant was released on June 26, before the second term started.
She claimed the school headteacher had stated in a letter that parents would like children to start boarding from July 20.
“This is a decision taken by the parents and students do not have to travel to school daily.
“There is full provision for students to board at the school including funds, food stock and other boarding items.
“This is very irresponsible and misleading journalism designed to prey on the emotions of good-hearted Fijians and must stop.”
Speaking to The Fiji Times last Sunday, village headman Petero Naivalu said some boarding students were sent home because there wasn’t any food in the school.
“So nai tubutubu qo sa vinaka cake vei ira me ra (gonevuli) sa kua ni lesu tale i bure. (For some of these parents, they have preferred not to send their children back to the dormitories),” Mr Naivalu said.
“Baleta e rawarawa cake vei ira nai tubutubu, me ra sa na varautaka ga kedra kakana i vale. (It’s easier for parents to just prepare their children’s food at home).
“Sa vinaka cake ga me ra sa lako ga yani i vale. (It’s better they just travel from home.”
Last night, the newspaper’s editor Fred Wesley said it was unfortunate the Education Minister took a swipe at The Fiji Times for doing its job.
“This isn’t about causing confusion. It is about the reality on the ground,” Wesley said.
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