More than 300 students of Tabia in Labasa face ongoing difficulties attending school as a result of poor network coverage and a shortage of funds for e-card bus top-ups.
Tabia advisory councillor Jitendra Kumar said students had found it difficult to top up their e-ticketing cards, an essential for bus travel.
“Also, the network in the area has been very weak,” Mr Kumar said.
“Sometimes we try to call, but we can’t hear anything. There’s simply no signal.”
Mr Kumar said many students depended on local shops for ecard top-up, but supplies often run out.
“I visited a shop in Tabia twice only to find that there were no recharge cards available and students weren’t able to top up their card.”
He said students were sometimes forced to travel to town to top up their cards although this would be an additional financial burden on families.
“The fare is $4 by bus and $15 by taxi. This is one way. It’s not sustainable.”
Efforts to seek a response from Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica were unsuccessful when this edition went to print.
