Construction of a new junior secondary school in Nacula in the Northern Yasawas which will cost $100,000 is expected to begin this October.
Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy said the new school will have Year 9 and Year 10 and is expected to be operational from next year.
Dr Reddy said the school will share resources like the library, IT lab and playground with the existing Ratu Meli Memorial School in Nacula.
He said the construction will also include a teacher’s quarters and a science lab.
He added the Northern Yasawas has six rural island primary schools that at most times face difficulties in sending their children to further their secondary education in Viti Levu.
Meanwhile, the Tui Drola Ratu Epeli Vuetibau said in the past, parents paid hefty amounts of money to send their children to get secondary education.
Ratu Vuetibau said at times some students drop out of school because their parents could not afford to pay their travelling and other relevant expenses to stay with relatives in Viti Levu.
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