Lekutu Secondary School is one of the most affected by TC Yasa. [File Photo]

There has been a drastic drop in the number of students enrolled for the new school year in TC Yasa affected areas.

Education Minister Rosy Akbar says a team is still on the ground assessing the damage.

Akbar confirms schools will resume from the 18th of this month for teachers and a day later for students.

“What we have found during our monitoring at the ground level is that those schools that have sustained extensive damage, where classrooms have fallen down, the number of students enrolled last year and those anticipated to resume classes from the 18th, drastically fallen.”

Akbar says parents in TC Yasa affected areas are not required to provide children with all materials when attending school.

She says they want children to continue with their education.

“We will not pressure parents and students on uniforms and footwear and stationery, all we want them is to return to schools and of course there is a lot of assistance provided. So to the parents don’t pressure yourself. This is a time to rebuild your homes, rebuild your lives, but we want the education of our children to continue.”

The Minister also received $300,000 from Vodafone Fiji to help repair about twenty schools.

Vodafone Fiji says they are working with the Education Ministry to channel assistance where needed.