The principal of Telhei Primary School on Motalava is calling for help to rebuild the school’s ageing classroom building, which she says is unsafe for students.

Milla Lombu told VBTC News that cracks in the walls and fears following recent earthquakes have prevented students from safely using the classrooms.

“The structure of the building is in very poor condition. You can physically see the cracks, and I can confirm that the classroom is not safe for the children, especially if another earthquake occurs.”

The classroom building was constructed in 1973 with funding from the Australian Government.

Earthquakes Leave Students Frightened

Lombu said the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake northwest of Luganville, along with reports of minor tsunami activity in Torres, had increased fear among students and teachers.

She said students in Classes 4, 5 and 6 had not entered their classrooms during the week because they were frightened by the building’s condition.

“We experienced an earthquake that created fear among the children. This week, students in Classes 4, 5 and 6 did not even go inside the classrooms. When I went to see them, they asked whether they would have to study outside.”

She added that teachers were also concerned about the condition of the building.

Home-Learning Packages Distributed

Following advice from the Provincial Education Office, the school has continued learning through home-learning packages.

Lombu said students were sent home on Tuesday while teachers stayed behind to prepare the learning materials. The following morning, teachers distributed the packages to families across the community.

The school council and chiefs have also been discussing how students could be brought together to continue learning in a safe environment.

“We distributed the home-learning packages from community to community while the school council and chiefs looked at the best way to bring the children together safely. Until the earthquake situation stabilises, the children cannot return to the classrooms.”

Principal Calls for Rebuilding Support

Lombu said the Ministry responsible for Education was planning to find a temporary building where students could continue learning while home-learning packages remained in use.

She is also appealing to the Ministry to help rebuild the classroom building, which has served the community for more than five decades.

The school is seeking a safe arrangement that will allow its students to continue their education while concerns about the building are addressed.