The school attendance in the southern Lau group has greatly improved in this new academic year.
The finding was gathered by a group of education officers that visited the islands of Kabara, Komo and Namuka last week.
The five schools visited were Naikeleyaga Village School, Kabara District School,Vunigigia Village School,Namuka Village School and Komo Village School.The visiting team is a joint operation between the Ministry of Education and the Access to Quality Education Program (AQEP) which is an Australian Aid funded programme.
The school manager of Naikeleyaga Village School in Kabara, Mr Kameli Baleilautoka said that the free education initiative this year and the developments and resources funded by AQEP has transformed the image of the school which now captures the attention of the students.
“The school attendance has vastly improved compared to past years as now the students enjoy a new learning environment with adequate facilities. The school is also fortunate that AQEP has sponsored the uniforms, bags and sandals of all the students. All these assistance has boosted the morale of our students which is now a motivating factor for them to attend school regularly,” remarked Mr Baleilautoka.
In the attendance register of the 5 schools, the attendance of students ranged from 89% to 100% in the first twelve weeks of the first school term. This according to the teachers on the islands is a vast improvement from previous years.
The Head Teacher of Vunigigia Village School, Mrs Seini Mamafainoa highlighted that students in the village of Udu in Kabara now enjoy coming to school because education is provided freely for them
“In the past it was always hard to have regular attendance of students as some of their parents were faced with financial constraints in the payment of fees. This free education initiative this year has removed that barrier and allows students to enjoy this privilege provided by the government. I also acknowledge the vast developments and resources poured in by AQEP as this has created an environment that is conducive to learning which the students now enjoy and have loved very much,” Mrs Mamafainoa said.
This improved attendance ties in well with the aim of the Ministry of Education which is to ensure that education is made affordable, equitable and accessible to all Fijian students. The overall increase in primary and secondary roll nationwide in this first academic term is estimated at 32,000.
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