AN Australian-funded audit has revealed the poor condition of infrastructure in many schools, with deteriorating sanitation and washroom facilities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Prof Biman Prasad said the audit was requested by the Coalition Government for the Suva-Nausori area and was supported by the Australian Government.
The findings have now been submitted.
“The report for that audit of schools is out,” he said.
“It shows that in the last so many years, the condition of washrooms, sanitation facilities had all deteriorated in many of the schools.”
He said the Government was now looking at how it could work with school managements and the Ministry of Education to fix these issues.
“In the next budget, we are also looking at how we can support our schools, our management, and the Ministry of Education to undertake a rapid, a speedy way in which we can build and improve the infrastructure.
“And we will be extending those audits in other areas, particularly in the Western Division, and especially in the urban schools, where many more students are moving to get education at the high school or even at the primary school level.”
Prof Prasad also announced plans to build new schools where necessary, as part of a broader infrastructure push.
