Students from Navuso Agricultural School, who were on strike, had camped by the Rewa River for two days.
After spending two days and a night by the river, the students were forced to return to their dorms due to heavy rain.
An article published by The Fiji Times on March 15, 1984, wrote that the students had disagreed and were unhappy with many of the things that were happening at the school.
A student spokesman, Raiwalui Waqairatu said one of the main reasons the students were upset was because of the school fees being increased from $110 to $240 and the lack of change in the running of the school.
Mr Waqairatu said students disagreed with a statement that was given to Radio Fiji by the former principal of the school who was Taniela Raumakita.
“But there has been no change at the school,” he said.
He said the year before, they were told that as the fees were going to be increased, their schoolbooks, eating utensils and food would be free, but this was not so.
Mr Waqairatu said the students met with the school board and had been told that their problems could be resolved only if they returned to the school by 8am the next day, otherwise the issue would be taken to the school standing committee.
He said the school also told the students a year ago that if they were to work on the school’s farm, they would be paid and that their pay would be able to cover their school fees and food.
This also did not happen when the students returned to school that year.
He said the school needed more academic staff and labourers to work on the farm instead of students.
Mr Waqairatu also said that 40 students went on strike for similar reasons in 1972, but were all expelled.
The students from the school came from all over Fiji and other Pacific islands.
