The Ministry of Education and the Fiji National University (FNU) need to provide an explanation as to why more than 180 students stranded at the Natabua campus in Lautoka were not provided with food, says National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad.
Prof Prasad’s call comes after 180 students, who have been living at the campus over the past month, were handed food packs from the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) Fiji last weekend.
“It is highly irresponsible for both the FNU and the Ministry of Education to put the students in that kind of situation,” Prof Prasad said.
“They should have known better that there are more than 180 students stranded at the campus and they should make sure or they should have ensured that the students at least have food.
“This is highly irresponsible and the university and the Ministry of Education ought to explain this lapse and why it has happened.
“We call on them to quickly or to immediately ensure that the students stranded there for a while are provided with the appropriate supply of food and all the care that needs to be given to them while they are still stranded at the campus.”
FRIEND Fiji director and founder Sashi Kiran said the distribution came about after a request from the Commissioner Western’s office was made to the NGO.
“These are students who are from areas that those within containment areas cannot travel to,” she said.
“When we heard, we just tried to respond quickly and if there is any further need, then we will try and supply them.
“If there are any other concerns from the university, we will do our best to help the students including seedlings that they could plant.
“We organised food packs for each floor. Where the numbers are more than 10, we doubled the pack and gave some extra rice.
“Our hands are really full just trying to make sure people are fed because four weeks with no money, it’s really tough.”
Natabua campus head master Gabriel Perry said there were 113 female and 68 male students stuck at the campus.
“We have students who can’t go home and we also have regional students here from Tuvalu who also can’t go home,” he said.
“So we are grateful for the humanity shown by FRIEND Fiji and by the DO’s office and the Commissioner Western’s office for coming to our aid.”
Commissioner Western Mesake Ledua said they hoped that the food packs would alleviate some concerns of the students.
Questions sent to the Ministry of Education have remained unanswered.
