This really does sound appalling. Children need fresh air and decent spaces for their classes. Shipping containers do not sound suitable. Why can't they use verandahs, sit out under a tree in good weather, use the hall of a nearby church? Church buildings can be multi-purpose. There are plenty of them. Anyway, over $7000 F sounds a lot for a container which should be given away for free to a school. Will the new classrooms be air-conditioned? How hot will they be? A cooking class in one, a welding class in another - what about safety issues?
Lessons in a box
Mere Naleba
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
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Basden College principal Mika Mudreilagi explains about the container classrooms at the school compound in Newtown, Suva. Picture: IVAMERE ROKOVESA
SINCE its inception in 2008, Basden College located in Nasinu will soon be opening its door to Year 13 (Form 7) students.
One thing that sets this secondary school apart from all the other secondary schools in the country is that its Year 13 classrooms are built from shipping containers.
Principal of the school Mika Mudreilagi said the school management purchased six containers which would be converted to house the school's first ever Year 13 level, first home economics room, a mini staff room, storage room and a welding port.
Mr Mudreilagi said the school's contractor, Hope Fiji Construction Company, had come up with the plan to convert shipping containers to classrooms which worked well to their advantage, as they were late in trying to construct a Year 13 building.
"We wanted to start Form Seven this year, in accordance to the plans of the Ministry of Education to have a Form Seven level last year," Mr Mudreilagi said.
"In fact using containers as classrooms is cost effective, affordable and innovative.
"In overseas countries, container architecture is also known as green construction, as we do not use timber therefore decreasing the pressure on cutting trees to meet the demand for timber.
"The key to this green construction is the recycling concept."
Mr Mudreilagi said with Year 13 expected to begin in the third week of school, so far about 10 students had shown interest in becoming pioneers of the class at the school.
Hope Fiji's managing director Wade Evans said two 12-metre long containers would be combined and converted into three buildings.
"The container classrooms can cater for 35 students," he said.
"The advantages of having these types of buildings are that they are cyclone proof and very cheap and affordable".
College use containers to house Form Seven
Basden College teachers, (from left) Miriama Bulivakarua, Repeka Qali and Judy Nucagilevu at the construction of Form Seven classroom in a shipping containers at the school yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR.
By ZAFIYA SHAMIM
Form Seven students of Basden College in Newtown, Nasinu will attend classes in a converted shipping containers this year.
School principal Mika Mudreilagi said they were looking for the most cost-effective construction methods and bought each container at $7700.
The Minister for Education Filipe Bole said the school’s option was feasible.
“However I still need to see the complete fabrication of the classroom before other schools can use the idea,” Mr Bole said.
“But the project is feasible as it is cost effective whereby a container classroom would cost about $25,000 whereas normal classrooms out of wood and bricks can cost about $50,000.”
Mr Mudreilagi said: “The six containers would be converted and made into three classrooms which would be ready within two weeks.” He said the reason why they chose container classrooms was to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education to have Form Seven and Technical Vocational Education and Training.
“We will have a classroom for Form Seven students, and for the first time we will have Home Economics and Applied Technology taught in our school,” he said.
“The new container classroom can accommodate about 35 students and it will be the ultimate recycling project converting containers into new modern bright and airy classrooms.”
He said the containers were strong because they were designed to carry all kinds of cargo.
They would have proper windows, doors, a roof and double walls to protect students and teachers from sunlight.
“The new classrooms will be admired by everyone and it will be really enjoyed by the students and their teachers.”
Mr Mudreilagi said the new facility would certainly enhance the learning environment.
Mr Bole said the option was open and they would comment further on it after he saw the completed project.
School principal Mika Mudreilagi said they were looking for the most cost-effective construction methods and bought each container at $7700.
The Minister for Education Filipe Bole said the school’s option was feasible.
“However I still need to see the complete fabrication of the classroom before other schools can use the idea,” Mr Bole said.
“But the project is feasible as it is cost effective whereby a container classroom would cost about $25,000 whereas normal classrooms out of wood and bricks can cost about $50,000.”
Mr Mudreilagi said: “The six containers would be converted and made into three classrooms which would be ready within two weeks.” He said the reason why they chose container classrooms was to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education to have Form Seven and Technical Vocational Education and Training.
“We will have a classroom for Form Seven students, and for the first time we will have Home Economics and Applied Technology taught in our school,” he said.
“The new container classroom can accommodate about 35 students and it will be the ultimate recycling project converting containers into new modern bright and airy classrooms.”
He said the containers were strong because they were designed to carry all kinds of cargo.
They would have proper windows, doors, a roof and double walls to protect students and teachers from sunlight.
“The new classrooms will be admired by everyone and it will be really enjoyed by the students and their teachers.”
Mr Mudreilagi said the new facility would certainly enhance the learning environment.
Mr Bole said the option was open and they would comment further on it after he saw the completed project.
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