The start time for schools remains at 8am but the Education Ministry says students are to be accepted in class if they arrive late.

That’s the message of the Permanent Secretary for Education Iowane Tiko when Fijivillage asked him if they could have the schools starting at 8.30 or 8.45am as many students are still stuck in traffic on a daily basis.

Tiko says if there is a change in the school start time, then it will be requested through a cabinet paper.

Tiko says that no teacher begins teaching at 8am sharp.

He also says students do their morning duties in some schools, carry out those simple tasks before the actual class begins.

Fijivillage has seen students on the road and bus stands after 8am waiting for buses to get to school.

We have also seen buses going past Domain Road after 8.45am taking students to the schools in Nasese.

The Permanent Secretary says they are aware that sometimes the students arrive after 8am.

He says this is because of the traffic on the road.