ONE hundred and sixty students have to endure sleeping in unhygienic and inhumane dormitories in what has been termed as the “worst school hostel” at Muaira District School in upper Naitasiri Province.
In one hostel alone 21 students — boys and girls — sleep in a bamboo shack makeshift dormitory, which also converts into their eating area.
The hostels have been the only form of accommodation for students of the school for the past 20 years.
The hostel walls are made of bamboo and corrugated roofing iron.
The floor is neatly pleated bamboo, covered by grass, sacks then mats to make it warm and comfortable for the students.
Nestled in the highlands of Muaira District, with the Wainimala River snaking beside the school, headteacher Josese Muatabu said they had 15 sick students per week.
“These students sleep in freezing temperatures. Every day at 6.45am they have to do their warm-ups in the school ground, do a little running before jumping into the river for a bath.
“Of the seven schools that I have served in my teaching career, this has got to be the worst hostel ever.”
Year 6 student Epeli Tuivuna said despite the deteriorating condition of the hostel, he still enjoys school
“Keimami dau veidretaki tutuvi ena gauna ni moce ena sivia ni batabata.” (We always pull each other’s blanket because it is just too cold.)
The young Waibasaga villager said they had cases where students have been bitten by centipedes.
“Qai dua lau kaji na cikinovu keimami yadra kece, qai dau dredre tu na neimami moce ena vuku ni rere.” (When one is bitten by a centipede everyone wakes up and then after that we can’t sleep because we are afraid.)
But those sleepless nights will soon be over as the Ministry of Education has approved $60,000 for the construction of the school hostels.
Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy said it was disheartening to see what students had to go through in order to obtain their education.
“What is bothering me is that your ancestors constructed the school and yet those past governments who should have taken care of maintenance have neglected you.
“We will take care of your maintenance and that you don’t have to worry.”
