20 January 2010, marks an exciting beginning of a new era for the people of Lavena, Taveuni as the Education Minister, Mr Filipe Bole, officially opened its new school- Lavena Primary School.
Ever since education was introduced to the people of Lavena more than 40 years ago, children from the village had been walking for about 7 kilometers to reach the nearest primary school located in Bouma.
All those times, the children of Lavena had been going to school under strenuous conditions- braving the scorching sun, the torrent downpour and the dusty road.
All that is now history.
The Ministry of Education assisted Lavena under its Education Disadvantaged Area (EDA) Program with a capital grant of $152,000.00.
This involved the building of a 4-classroom block, ablution block for the staff and students, administration office, and staff quarters.
A total of 4 teachers will start off the teaching and learning process at the school and it is anticipated that close to ninety children will become pioneer students at the school, when school begins on January 25.
The people of Lavena were thankful that they have finally been assisted, now that education is finally brought closer to home.
Lavena is the first EDA school to be opened this year and with its opening, it has become the 736th primary school to be established in the country.