Reconstruction work at Malapoa College following earthquake damage is expected to continue through to 2027, as contractors move ahead with repairs to key school facilities.

Acting Principal Akasten Tabi told VBTC News that workers from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) are currently carrying out demolition work on damaged structures before rebuilding begins.

According to the Acting Principal, rebuilding work will include 11 classrooms, two dormitories, a teachers’ residence, a dining hall complex, administration block and library.

Mr Tabi said the school has had to make significant adjustments to continue operating while repair work is underway.

“At the moment, workers are demolishing damaged walls. The brick walls are being removed while some structural components remain. Once demolition is completed, we expect rebuilding work with new blocks to begin around July or August.”

Mr Tabi told VBTC News that workers from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) are currently carrying out demolition work on damaged structures before rebuilding begins.

Mr Tabi said the school has had to make significant adjustments to continue operating while repair work is underway.

“What happened was that we removed Years 9 and 10 from the school this year, so we are only accommodating Years 11, 12 and 13. We converted old dormitories into staff offices, while the girls’ dormitory has been turned into classrooms. Some older classrooms that were no longer in use have also been brought back into service.”

He said student numbers have been reduced from around 1,500 to 830 to help manage space constraints on campus.

Earlier this year, Mr Tabi identified classroom space as one of the biggest challenges facing the school following the earthquake.