Recent media reports on students walking to school because there is no transport, gives the impression that success in education comes in a silver platter; that education is supposed to be easy; there is no struggle; there is no pain.
Students of Namalata District School, a few metres away from Nabilo (the subject of a recent media report), had no qualms with walking to school. It is not a “a big deal” that they walk to school because students are firmly grounded in the principles of hardwork, perseverance and commitment.
Students walk from as far as Matacaucau, which is about 7 miles away from the school, and the school has no problems with absenteeism.
Our students at school are taught and will always be taught that success in education, comes with a price- hardwork, facing challenges head on, and not to give up easily.
Parents of Matacaucau village pay 60cents a day as carrier fare for their children and have no problems at all regarding such commitment as they believe in the value of such investment. It is simply a matter of priority!
That is the message, media organisations should be telling the public, not mere gossip.
Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.