THE Australian Government will continue to work closely with the Fijian Government to help with the immense challenge of restoring schools damaged by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Australia has already adopted 26 schools to rebuild and reconstruct after the Category 5 cyclone.

Yesterday, the Australian High Commission revealed their decision to adopt more schools would depend on the assessment details, which were yet to be made available by Government.

Responding to queries, the commission said Australia had committed $53 million for Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston response and reconstruction, of which a substantial component was assistance for schools.

“We continue to discuss with the Fiji Government which schools we will repair, as well as the schools we will help rebuild. These decisions will be based on detailed assessments once they become available.”

According to the embassy, 16 schools have been identified so far for immediate repair and the work will be carried out by local contractors.

Some of the identified schools:

* Laucala District School (Cakaudrove-Qamea);

* Muanivatu District School (Cakaudrove-Savusavu);

* Nagigi SDA Primary School (Cakaudrove-Savusavu);

* Naiviivi Primary School (Qamea);

* Nasavusavu District School (Savusavu);

* Nasinu District School (Cakaudrove-Navatu);

* Qalitu District School (Cakaudrove-Savusavu);

* Saqani District School;

* St Andrews Primary School; and

* Wailevu East District School (Cakaudrove-Wailevu).