A petition is being put together by parents and guardians of students at Vatuvonu Adventist College.

The petition is to request for government’s assistance in re-opening the school when it closes on April 18th.

FBC News understands, the petition was taken yesterday to the student’s parents and guardians.

It’s understood the petition once signed will be taken up to the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office for assistance.

Parents Teachers Association President Taia Colaitiniyara says parents are in despair over the SDA Church’s decision to close the school adding many are still trying to come to terms with the news.

“Now that this has happened, it is heartbreaking. Those who are closing down the school won’t feel it. We worked hard for this school. They are closing it and telling us to go find a school elsewhere. Thats just too much for us.”

Former School Committee Chair Ratu Meleti Raimuriyaleve says they stand ready to work with government to set up the school again.

“We’ve told the Church, we don’t accept it. If you want to close the school, you have to vacate from the land. That’s the stand we taking now, because we will want to open the school as a community school run by the committee and the government.”

Vatuvonu Adventist College serves about 30 villages along the Natewa Coast.