Education continues to remain a priority and there is significant funding allocated each year for various levels of education.
These were the words of the Public Service Commission (PSC) permanent secretary Mr Parmesh Chand as he addressed students, old scholars, parents and guardians and staff of Xavier College recently.
As a former student himself, Mr Chand was invited as chief guest to the Xavier College Diamond Jubilee celebration held at the School in the form of a Carnival.
“I attribute my educational success largely to the strong foundation and values and virtues which Xavier equipped me in terms of education.”
He said Xavier College has come a long way since its establishment as a Boy’s School by the Catholic Archdiocese of Suva in 1953.
“Since its inception, the College has been one of the premier educational institutions in the country. Thousands of students who have passed through the gates of Xavier College are well placed in the society all over the world.
“The success stories of Xavier could fill volumes, the initiatives of the School to offer club activities, cadet training and other enriching programmes that complement the academic curriculum is very highly commended by the Ministry of Education. At national level, the external examination results of the College have far surpassed that of nearly every school in the country for many years,” Mr Chand said.
The College, he said has been an arena for developing the values of multi-racial living.
“It has a great responsibility of inculcating values such as tolerance, understanding, co-operation, forgiveness and love of fellowmen. These virtues come easily in this Institution for it is built on the basic Christian tenet of love and care for each other.”
Mr Chand also paid tribute to the Columban Fathers as well as the Sisters and now the Monfort Brothers, the many business houses from Ba, the former and current Principals and Teachers of the College, the School Board, parents and guardians, ex scholars and current student who have been contributing to the development of the School.
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