Gerehu Primary School is grappling with critical infrastructure issues, as revealed in a comprehensive report by the NCD Health Authority. The inspection, driven by numerous complaints from parents and students, uncovered alarming deficiencies in the school's facilities. Mr. Stanley Tony, the Deputy Principal, provided a detailed account of the situation and the collective efforts being made to address these problems. One of the most pressing issues is the state of the school's toilet facilities. The recently constructed toilet block, built under the leadership of Headteacher Mr. Philip Tiki, remains unused, forcing the school to rely on an outdated and inadequate toilet facility. "The old toilet facility is not acceptable for the students to use," Mr. Tony explained. “With only one functional toilet for over 1,000 male students and a few more for the female students, the situation falls far short of the recommended health policy ratio of one toilet per 20 students.” This discrepancy prompted the NCD Health Authority to issue a one-week ultimatum for improvements. In response, the school's Parents and Citizens (PNC) group, along with volunteers and sponsors, have stepped up to address the urgent need for repairs and maintenance. The community's involvement has been spearheaded by dedicated volunteers such as Mrs. Decosta Banaba from Kumul Petroleum Holdings, Mr. Smith and Mr. Tony himself. "We don't like our kids' learning to be affected," Mr. Tony emphasized. He further acknowledged the significant voluntary contributions made by parents to support the school's improvement efforts. These contributions are not just financial but also involve hands-on participation in repair and maintenance activities. Parents have been instrumental in addressing various issues highlighted in the health report, from fixing toilet facilities to painting classrooms and maintaining the school grounds. "We will report to them what particular areas we will be engaged in fixing, whether it be the toilet facility, flooring of the classroom, painting of the building, or general maintenance," Mr. Tony elaborated. Adding to the school's woes are illegal settlers occupying the school premises. These individuals, often teachers facing housing challenges, have taken up residence in classrooms and offices. While the school administration has engaged legal counsel to issue eviction notices, these have largely been ignored. "It's really on humanitarian grounds that they are still residing," Mr. Tony noted, highlighting the complex nature of the issue. The condition of the classrooms is another major concern. Many classrooms are in a state of disrepair, with shaky structures and insufficient desks. The Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) money provided by the government is not sufficient to address all these needs. "The condition of the classroom is depleting apart, and some are shaky.” "We are deeply in need of intervention from stakeholders, business houses, NGOs, and the wider community." Mr. Tony's plea for support extends to all sectors of society. "Gerehu Primary School is in the heart of Gerehu, and we really need people out there to come and assist in our intervention, especially in the teaching and learning facilities.” The aim is to create a learning environment where students and teachers can thrive, with adequate facilities that support effective teaching and learning. The school has seen some interventions in the past, such as the construction of an admin block by the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) and the new toilet block under Mr. Tiki's leadership. However, these efforts are not enough to meet the growing needs of the student population, especially with the influx of students due to the government's free education policy. "Every child must not be left out under the government's policy, leading to an influx of students coming here to be educated.” Despite the numerous challenges, Mr. Tony remains hopeful that the collective efforts of the community, stakeholders, and the wider society will help turn the situation around. "We are humbly asking if you could come in to assist us in our teaching and learning facilities.”