Koro student misses FJC exam because of poor road conditions

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The flooded Nasoni crossing. Picture: SUPPLIED

A YEAR 10 student of Koro High School had had to miss sitting for a Fiji Junior Certificate paper because of poor road conditions on the island.

Nacamaki Village headman Salesitino Naqarase said as a result of the heavy rain, road conditions on the island had worsened with the stretch from Muanivanua to Nasau (about 10km) closed to all vehicles.

He said he was informed by his child who was in Year 10 that his classmate who lived in Muanivanua did not arrive in time for the exam.

“My child told me that a teacher had to walk from Nasau to get the student but by the time they returned, the exams supervisor said it was too late and the student cannot sit for the paper. This is really an unfortunate incident for one of our children who sacrificed the year coming to school only to be turned because he arrived late for the exams,” Mr Naqarase said.

He said the truck that was supposed to pick the students could not do so because of the road conditions.

Mr Naqarase said there was a growing fear that other students may miss their exams too.

Several villages are located between Nasau and Muanivanua, including Naqaidamu, Sinuvaca, Namacu, Mudu, Nakodu, and students from Koro High School all reside in those villages.

When contacted by this newspaper, Koro islanders said that construction company Ba Provincial Holding Ltd was now conducting road upgrade works on the island.

Meanwhile, in August, FRA chief executive Jonathan Moore had said that road upgrades in Koro was near completion.

“The 16km road will improve the quality of life of the rural population through the provision of basic weather road access to all the villages in a cost-effective manner and to promote economic growth by reducing rural transport costs.”

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