Students in Kadavu schools will now have a chance at quality education with the announcement of improved and new facilities by the Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy.
Minister Reddy was in Kadavu this week to open the Head Teachers Leadership Conference and visit schools on the island.
“This is my second visit to the island and we are here for a purpose, to discuss the importance of education,” Minister Reddy said.
“A lot of money has been spent on education so that no one is denied the benefit of learning. Dreams of children, parents, the vanua and teachers are important and we will ensure that those dreams are met.”
Minister Reddy added that Kadavu is the fourth largest island in Fiji with close to 30 schools and a large population base.
“We chose Kadavu as the location for our Head Teachers Conference because we want teachers to get out of their comfort zone and network at a grassroot level so we are more aware of the challenges faced by them,” Minister Reddy said.
Minister Reddy visited three Primary schools and one high school on his first day on the island and noted the challenges encountered by the students and teachers.
“I am pleased to say that government is going to assist Tavuki District School with $40, 000 which will be used for the building of the school dormitory,” Minister Reddy said.
“We have allocated $5,000 to build a kindergarten at the Ratu Nacagilevu Memorial School, contributed to an outboard engine and assisting with $15, 000 to build a computer lab at Richmond Methodist High School which will elevate the standard of the schools.”
Minister Reddy highlighted government’s investing in the completion of a walkway, assistance of $5,000 for kindergarten teachers quarters and the distribution of 58 tablets to bridge the digital gap in the schools visited.
The Assistant Chairman of Kadavu Provincial Council, Malakai Masi said there are many schools on the island which are left behind in some areas of education.
“Sometimes it is a challenge for our teachers as they do not have adequate materials to teach the children to the best of their ability compared to the schools in the urban areas,” Masi said.
“In order to improve education, we should have better facilities and resources; and we are grateful for the timely assistance by the government so that our children are not left behind.”