Losirene Lacanivalu
From Fiji Sun
Improving education and making it accessible is the priority of the Fijian Government, Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has said.
Inaugurating a classroom block at Rampur Primary School in Navua on August 26, 2017, he said that improving facilities, freeing parents of financial burden, higher pay to teachers, improving quality of teaching and learning are all part of his government’s initiatives.
“As a part of the education reform, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been holding roadshows, which have helped to belie rumours and remove misinformation, leading to teachers’ support of our reforms,” he said.
Classroom to Drawing Room
Mr Bainimarama appealed to the Navua community to make their homes an extension of the classroom.
“Do not just leave it to the teachers, work with the teachers and make your home an extension of the classroom. Get engaged with your child’s lessons and homework,” he said and added that students have great potential and deserve happy adult lives.
New Zealand firm donation
Head Teacher Narendra Rao said that the construction cost of F$256,000 was met through contribution of the Fijian Government (F$219,000) and the John Macdonald family of RC Macdonald in New Zealand (F$37,000).
“There has been a steady increase in enrolments and we expect more next year. The total number of students is now 900,” Mr Rao said.
Mr Macdonald, who was present at the event, said that he was honoured to witness the hard work and effort put into the construction of the building.
Natural disasters
He said that New Zealand and Fiji have in recent times faced natural disasters and that following the earthquakes in New Zealand, people from around the world had offered support in different ways.
“Earthquake effects in New Zealand inspired my family to support a community in Fiji after the Tropical Cyclone Winston that caused large-scale devastation in many parts of Fiji in February 2016. I am thankful to Vishwa Reddy (not identified), who guided my family in this School project, apart from giving his time to facilitate support,” he said.
Mr Macdonald said that with the population increasing rapidly in Navua, there is a great need for more schools.
“But for now, we continue with the tradition of the school established 75 years ago when the Rampur Education Society secured this land. It is a fine example of communities coming together for the common good,” he said.
The above story, edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola, has been reproduced here with the pictures by Special Arrangement with Fiji Sun.
Frank Bainimarama with Narendra Rao at the Rampur Primary School in Navua on August 26.
(Picture for Fiji Sun by Vilimoni Vaganalau)
