ABOUT 200 students of Saint Thomas Primary School can now enjoy a conducive learning space with the opening of the school’s $70,000 refurbished Saint John Vianney Zero building.
The students were initially studying in tents after their classrooms became infested with termites.
March Pte Ltd Special Projects chairman Samu Tunidau said the event marked the completion of the first phase of the project.
“The project is going to consist of 10 classrooms, five classrooms at the bottom, five on top. It’s a double-storey with a bathroom and washrooms on top and at the bottom,” he said.
“We want to change the standards as well; that’s part of the plan, and then we’re going to build a double-story administration block which consists of an admin office, meeting room, library, music room, and computer room.”
Mr Tunidau said parts of the building had deteriorated over the years.
“These buildings were condemned by Biosecurity and the Lautoka City Council. It’s not fit to be occupied by the students, and a letter was issued to us in 2023.
“So, the manager of the school, Father Veremo Dovarua, put together a committee in April, and we embarked on these projects.”
Mr Tunidau noted the school’s aging buildings, saying there were plans for expansion, pending approvals.
He said the expansion would cost $3.5million.
School management board chair Sakiusa Takirua acknowledged the work done by Mr Tunidau and his team.
“Just seeing what they’ve been able to do for the school, looking back the past five, six months, and what has come up with four new classrooms, they’ve been tirelessly coming together with men, voluntarily giving up their time,” he said.
