ST Thomas Primary School will need $3million to repair dilapidated buildings infested by termites.
The school, which marked its 100th anniversary this year, has seven classrooms that have been declared unsafe because of the infestation.
School manager Father Veremo Dovarua said four temporary classrooms are being built while they continue to work towards a more permanent solution.
“From the costing we have worked out so far, we need about $3m to build two new classroom blocks, the admin block and a new office,” said Fr Dovarua.
“We have a total of seven classes that need to be moved. We have tents set up as temporary classrooms before we move the students into the new temporary buildings.
“While they’re in the temporary buildings, we’re raising money to build more permanent structures.”
He said the new school blocks will include their administration office and laboratories.
“Right now everyone is in the old building.
“We have only one school block that is completely closed and needs to be demolished.
“That is totally infested by termites.”
Fr Dovarua added fundraising events have been ongoing for a few years.
“The recent one was during our 100th Centennial celebrations, which was done by the former students.
“Hopefully, we will get feedback on how much was raised and they could assist us in putting up our new classrooms.”
Fr Dovarua said they are awaiting the rest of the school’s Free Education Grant (FEG) from the Ministry of Education.
“We received only a portion of our total FEG, and hopefully, the rest will be released so that we can carry on with the work of repairing our classrooms,” he said.
