The provision of quality education to all school-aged children in Fiji is a long-term objective of Government through the Ministry of Education. The establishment of the DEL programme is a strategy to achieve this objective, particularly to provide access to education for the “unreached” children in Fiji.
The establishment of a Distance Education Learning programme was one of the 10 sub-projects under the PRIDE project that was implemented in 2004.
More specifically, the objectives of the sub-project were to:
i. increase access to quality education particularly for disadvantaged schools;
ii. increase community participation in education; and
iii. enhance equity in rural and remote schools for the disadvantaged.
The establishment of the Distance Education Learning (DEL) Programme involved the following:
i. the establishment of the Studio Centre at FNU (Nasinu Campus) in September 2009;
ii. the installation of appropriate software at the site and the linking of the whole system.
iii. the installation of IT and equipment in schools;
iv. the provision of the linkage/connection of the whole system between the existing schools; and
v. conducting awareness and training for secondary school teachers for the safety and proper utilisation of DEL equipment.
Altogether, 7 secondary schools are now connected to the program. The schools are RKS, QVS, Namosi Secondary, Wainimakutu Secondary, Waidina Secondary, Richmond High and Kadavu Provincial Secondary.
While four of these schools receive Form 7 on-line lessons, the other three schools are catered up to Form 6 only.
The following subjects are taught through satellite Interactive Distance Learning (IDL): Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Geography, Agriculture, Economics and Fijian.
10 staff members have been recruited with a studio manager for the delivery of services at the Nasinu Studio.
At present, the following schools have been identified for the expansion of the project:
Yasayasa Moala Secondary, Ratu Mocevakaca Memorial, Natokalau District School, Komo Village School, Moce District School, Namuka District School, Matuatabu Primary School, Fulaga District School and Vatoa District School.
Installation of equipment and training/awareness for teachers in the above schools will be conducted once Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) receives the inverters for the conversion of DC power to AC power. These inverters are provided by the Ministry as an alternative power source for the designated schools to convert the DC voltage of 48 to 240 voltage AC.
It must be noted that all computer appliances operate on AC power supply.
The above 9 schools will benefit in terms of curriculum issues and new prescription workshops.
The approved funding allocation for the sub-project was $183,000.00
Like all new initiatives, there are challenges to be conquered. These include a set timetable for all schools, power supply and training of teachers. All these have been looked into by the Ministry and directives were given for the improvement in these areas.
Finally, the project is a huge success, as it heightens the development of education in rural and remote areas in Fiji. The Ministry intends to extend the project to 45 other schools with, priority given to those that already have the TFL system.
Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.