One Hundred and sixty students of Ba Methodist High School in Nailaga, Ba will now have access to internet thanks to the opening of a new telecentre by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today.
While officiating at the opening of the new telecentre, the Prime Minister reiterated government’s commitment towards providing information technology services and resources in rural and isolated communities in the country.
“What I find equally exciting is that you don’t have to travel at all these days to be connected to the world. You can be connected right here on a computer via the Internet. And you can broaden your horizons without leaving Ba at all”.
The Prime Minister said today’s opening signifies government’s commitment to raise the standard of living of ordinary Fijians.
“I’m personally very proud of these Telecentres. They are a key element of my Government’s promise to provide a world of difference for ordinary Fijians. Why? Because we are providing free access for the first time to one of the great advances of the modern age”.
“It wasn’t long ago that computers and the Internet were only for wealthier people in our town and cities. The opportunity to benefit from the information revolution was for them, not for ordinary people”.
The head of government encouraged students to make full use of this opportunity to enhance their learning and their education.
“To the school children here today I say make the most of this opportunity to gain knowledge and broaden your horizon. You can immediately be part of a bigger world,” PM Bainimarama said.
Ba Methodist High School principal Ms Aralai Gavidi thanked the Prime Minister for giving them this “golden education opportunity”.
“On behalf of the Marama Na Tui Ba and management of the school I would like to convey our deepest appreciation to you Sir. Thank you very much for taking this time to honor us with your visit,” Ms Gavidi told the Prime Minister.
She said today’s event is a milestone achievement and one that will always be remembered by students and the community of Nailaga.
“The children will certainly remember this great moment in the history of their school when their country’s leader is gracing them with his presence,” she said.
“We would like also to thank the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and his Ministry of Communication who made it possible to have this centre at Nailaga,” she said.
Divisional Education Officer Eastern Lorima Voravora commended the reforms delivered by Government towards making education more accessible.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Education we are most thankful to government for setting up yet another telecentre in Fiji here in Nailaga because it will not only cater for students but also for ordinary people in the area,” Mr Voravora said.
“The centres will benefit students especially in carrying out their projects for internal assessments from class 1 to form 7. It will also help them in doing their research using the internet,” Mr Voravora said.
The telecenter at Ba Methodist is the seventh in the country and Government has put in place plans to open twenty more telecentres around the country.
From today, this centre will provide free internet and data access for hundreds of people in the surrounding areas. It will be used by students during school hours and for the rest of the community after hours.
Ba Methodist High School was established in 1964 and today caters for students from form 3 to 7.
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