TEACHERS of three schools on Koro Island are holding afternoon and evening classes in a race to complete the term one curriculum.
The shortage of teachers on the island has led to teachers conducting extra classes out of normal school hours.
These teachers are being accommodated by villagers as rehabilitation works on the schools continue after Severe TC Winston devastated the island in 2016.
Kade District School is short of three teachers.
Headteacher Emosi Toroki, who has been teaching on Koro for more than a decade, said the school usually had six teachers but two were transferred and another was on maternity leave.
He said they had been waiting for the two replacement teachers and the other relieving teacher since the third term of last year.
“At the moment we have three teachers and share the load for eight classes which share four classrooms.
We usually have composite classes and also have started our afternoon and evening classes to make up for everything. Last year our academic results dropped and I can say one of the reasons is because of the state of the school. Both students and teachers are affected.”
The teachers of Kade District School are being accommodated at Kade Village.
Tuatua/Nasau Primary School also needs two teachers.
Koro High School manager Kolinio Tawake said they had been waiting for a computer teacher since August last year and also a relieving staff for a teacher who was on maternity leave.
Questions sent to the Education Minister remain unanswered.
