HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE SEAQAQA PRIMARY SCHOOL PREFECTS INDUCTION

The Head Teacher, Mr. Jagendra Prasad ;
The School Manager, Mr.Lakhan Kumar;
Commissioner Northern, Mr. Uraia Rainima;
Representatives from the Ministry of Education;
The Parents and Guardians;
The Student body and Newly Elected Prefects Seaqaqa Primary School.;
 
Miau sa bula re and Good morning to you all.

I am extremely happy to be present at the shores of Seaqaqa Primary School this morning to be your Chief Guest for the prefect’s investiture ceremony for 2023.

Today we are here to witness an important occasion in your school calendar – the badging of your very own school prefects.

School prefects become school leaders and that in itself is a privilege as they are entrusted with great responsibility to carry out their duties diligently and with great honesty.

A badge is entrusted to you as school leaders because you have been chosen among the many as a student that has potential to be a good leader and will lead with compassion and empathy.

Being a leader requires a lot of commitment as you will need to be a role model to others and guide them towards the right path. You will need to have passion for the role you are given and to make positive changes around you.

You will be expected to be inclusive and treat all your colleagues and fellow students, your family members and your community members with equal love, respect and care. As a leader you need to be mentors of support and encouragement and students need to be able to approach you and feel comfortable around you.

Dear Students, always remember, leadership is all about having a positive attitude. You are carrying the trust of your teachers and the students in your school. You are to be able to bring a smile and to add humor when needed. To lead is to serve with a positive, firm and generous attitude.

Being a prefect is having the courage to balance between your school work and your responsibilities. You need to remain focussed and committed to your studies and execute your duties with fairness and being just at all times.

As future leaders of our nation, you are going to be entrusted with the leadership roles of our beloved Fiji, whether it would be in government, church, the Vanua or the private sector and civil society – uphold honest values at all times.

A good leader, trusts the Lord to lead them and will uphold Christian values to empower those around them.

Girls and boys, we must keep in mind not all of us can become prefects but we can all become good, honest, hardworking and reliable students.  Student life is a long path ahead, continue working hard and set your aim high. Never forget that we all have hidden talents within us that we have been blessed with, harness that to your full potential.

I commend your parents and members of your community for the effort you make to be in school and to be part of the national effort to develop our beloved Fiji into a knowledge based society. The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is true for us as we are all related and we depend on each other to uphold the right to a child being raised in a safe, secure and stable environment.
 
Our support, our presence and our commitment is one important aspect of life our children look forward to and appreciate. Continue to play your part in the education of your children. For it is through your hard work that your children are living their dreams.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I would like to once again congratulate the newly inducted prefects and wish them well during their tenure this year. I wish all students the very best in your learning journey of 2023 and wish your parents and teachers well in their respective work.

I strongly believe that the collaboration of parents, students, teachers and the Government together with the community at large and their collective commitment to education will not only promote the teaching and learning process but will further mould responsible leaders of our beloved Fiji.

May Almighty God Bless you all and May God Bless Fiji. Vinaka vakalevu.

Thank you.