A total of 123 schools were affected in Viti Levu, Kadavu, Lomaiviti and Southern Lau at the height of STC Harold, Minister for Education Rosy Akbar told Parliament.
And she noted that an estimated 11,837 students at all levels were now affected because of the damage sustained by the category four cyclone.
“Rehabilitation in maritime areas can feel like building a sand castle. A lot of challenges with us rebuilding there,” Ms Akbar said.
Refraining from providing minor details, the Minister could only say that the ministry had estimated damage of close to $12million that had been sustained by the education sector alone, not only in terms of buildings but damage to teachers quarters, resources, hostel facilities and other logistics that go into rebuilding them.
“Obviously, we will have to plan better. We are meeting with stakeholders, and cluster meetings are going on with our bilateral partners who want to come up and assist us in rebuilding, and hopefully, I will be able to update the House in the near sitting,” Ms Akbar said.