The head of government, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this week praised the villagers of Navosa for their commitment to ensuring that their children would not miss out on any education.
Prime Minister Bainimarama this week opened the newly built ‘Bainimarama Vatutoko Primary School’, giving students from surrounding villages the opportunity to have their own classrooms.
In 2008, the Prime Minister had visited Nubuyanitu and was informed that the village hall was used as a classroom by students from Nubuyanitu, Draubuta, Nakoro, and Vitilevu villages for more than five years. Students from these villages used to go to Noikoro District School which was always inaccessible to them because of flooding.
“I was told during my earlier visit in 2008 that you were using the village hall as the classroom for the children and despite these hardships, it demonstrates your own perseverance to ensure that your children have acess to education”, Prime Minister Bainimarama said.
Government began the construction of the school in 2008 with the assistance from the Prime Minister’s office and the engagement of the Army Engineers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. An investment by govermment amounting to more than $300,000, the construction phase also saw new quarters for the teachers, water tanks and fencing.
“I would also like to commend the landowners for giving their land, for the sake of the education of the sons and daughters of Nubuyanitu of today and in years come, “he said.
Prime Minister Bainimarama reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that all Fijians will have access to education, including those living in rural and remote communities.
The Turaga ni Koro of Nubuyanitu Semi Nagata said they are grateful to the Bainimarama Government for their assistance in building the new school which has brought a huge relief to the children of his village.
“Gone were the days when our children used to cross 3 river tributeries to reach the Noikoro District School further down the valley. After a few floods, we find it very risky for them to continue going to school there. So for a few years they’ve been using the village hall as their classroos. Today we are so thankful to the Prime Minister for realising what we and our forefathers always dream about to have a school of our own,”Nagata said.