The Education Ministry is re-prioritising its capital projects programme for this year to enable it to divert critical financial resources to schools that urgently need assistance in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ami.
Cabinet today (22/01/03) agreed in a special Cabinet meeting that the ministry immediately re-prioritise its programmes, and utilise some $2,525,000 allocated for some of the ministry's 2003 Capital projects for schools in Vanua Levu, Lomaiviti and the Lau Group which need extensive rehabilitation work.
Education Minister, Ro Teimumu Kepa informed Cabinet, that the expected estimates required "to carry out such a mammoth task of rehabilitation work would be within an approximate sum of $5 million."
The ministry will in addition provide additional funding to schools in devastated areas such as additional tuition fees assistance to cover various levies that are normally paid by parents.
Amongst other measures, the packaging of essential teaching and learning resources are currently being undertaken by the ministry for all schools affected by Cyclone Ami.
The Ministry will also be informing all schools concerned not to enforce the wearing of school uniforms in the first school term.
Meanwhile the beginning of Term 1 in 2003 for the affected areas will be deferred according to the state of readiness advised by schools and endorsed by the respective education officers in the districts.