Public concern over the appalling condition of ablution blocks at Matevulu College has prompted former students to speak out, claiming the problem is not new and has persisted for years without meaningful improvement.
Several ex-students who attended the school between 2015 and 2019 said the state of toilets, showers, and dormitories has long been a serious issue, affecting students’ health, wellbeing, and learning.
A former female student who studied at the college in 2018 and 2019, and wished to remain anonymous, said the problems date back many years.
“In 2018, us girls who slept at Dandelion dorm used only two toilets that were usable. Apart from those two, all the others were bad. Some didn’t even have doors,” she said.
She added that shower facilities were also limited. “When I studied there, we only used three showers that were usable. There was vandalism on the walls as well.”
According to her, in some dormitories the ablution buildings were constantly flooded inside. “When you went in to use it, your legs had to get wet. The environment is not healthy, and I know this time it must be worse. It’s not healthy for students. When students don’t have a good environment, it will affect their learning.”
She also questioned the school’s leadership, claiming that the principal has been in the position for more than a decade without visible improvements.
“The principal stayed there for a very long time, maybe more than 10 years, and there is no change at all. If he cannot do it, then he needs to resign or step down to allow another principal who can make changes in the school,” she said.
She further raised concern that Matevulu College, described as the second-established English secondary school in the country, should not be in such a state.
“It’s maybe an hour’s drive from the school to the second biggest town in the country. Why do students have to use those things as if the school is far away from civilisation?” she asked.
Another former student, Aruel Mase, who spent four years at the school, echoed similar concerns.
“During our time it was also not good. I studied there for four years, and during my four-year term there was no change. Maybe there was a small change once, but it’s a big school, and if you only change one ablution block there will be no difference,” he said.
He claimed that more than 400 boys shared only three or four toilets and four to five showers.
“That contributes to learning as well. When you wait in line to shower, what time do they expect us to go to class? What time do they expect us to go to prep if we wait in line for the shower or toilet?” he questioned.
Mr. Mase also raised concerns about dormitory conditions, saying some buildings have been without ceilings for nearly three years.
“Students sleep under that for the whole year. I think the principal should organise some cleaners or maintenance workers to clean up or fix things when they are broken, rather than waiting for everything to be damaged and then needing a big amount of money to fix it,” he said.
While acknowledging recent assurances from the administration, Mr. Mase expressed skepticism.
“They have been saying the same thing — that they are going to fix it — during our time until now they are still saying it. Maybe they are working on it, but it will need a lot of work, especially now that the school year has already started,” he said.
Randy Haitont, another former student, described the dormitories as unclean and poorly maintained.
“The dormitories are not even clean. It does not look like a place where we can sleep or spend almost the whole year. There is vandalism everywhere and it does not look good,” he said.
“I spent a year there, and from the time I went until the school finished, I didn’t see any changes in the ablutions or dorms.”
A former female head girl, who also requested anonymity, said conditions in the girls’ dormitories were equally concerning during her time.
“The condition of the ablutions and dormitory for the girls at that time was not good at all. There was no proper ablution for females. During our time the girls’ population was much higher than boys, and it was hard with so many girls and the showers and toilets not in good condition,” she said.
She claimed that although many toilets were built, only three or four were usable throughout the year.
“We lined up for showers, and sometimes when it was prep time some of us had to wait until prep was finished so we could have a chance to shower. It’s not healthy at all. It contributes to the disturbance of learning,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, school principal Henry Wass said work is currently underway.
“Work is under way this year to fix all the ablutions and dorms,” Mr. Wass said.
SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST
