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Issue No: 669; 10 March 2001
13 more schools face possible closure because of demands for money by landowners. Today's Daily Post reports that 12 primary and secondary schools on Viti Levu and one in Vanua Levu face similar conditions as the Sabeto Indian Primary School faced two weeks ago. The school was forcibly entered by people claiming to be landowners and closed down. The landowners demanded $60,000. Within a week, the demand rose to $70,000. When the Native Lands Trust Board stepped in, the demand rose to $91,000. The school had resolved to meet the high chief of the area. But as this resolution was publicised, the NLTB met the chief earlier and asked him not to meet the school reps. The school is now taking the matter to the court. The NLTB has declined to name the 13 schools which face the prospect of massive financial demands by landowners. The teachers unions have called on the state to intervene and take over the school leases. The Qarase regime has not responded to these calls. Most of the schools involved cater for ethnic Indian students. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
