It was a momentous occasion for Qawa Primary School students, teachers and parents as they gathered to celebrate the school’s Golden Jubilee celebration in Labasa yesterday.

Officiating at the event, Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) farm advisory manager Amrika Prasad reminded the students on the historical links between the school and the Labasa sugar industry.

“The school motto which is ‘Learning is virtue, true beauty lies in true education’ is a beam of light guiding Qawa students,” Mr Prasad said.

“The idea to establish the school was to provide education entirely for the Vunivau community which was initiated back in 1963 whereby the first building had three classrooms. The building materials were supplied by the then South Pacific Sugar Mill (SPSM) which also did most of the work in the building of the school.

“Classes officially started in 1965 catering for children in Years one to four with a school roll of 60 and the success of the school was a result of hard work

and struggle.

Mr Prasad added that the original school was financed through the contribution of a ton of sugarcane from every farmer in the Vunivau community apart from fundraising.

“Labasa Sugar Mill was established in the year 1803 and since then we had been providing continuous support to Qawa Primary School and we would continue doing so,” he said.

Qawa Primary School head teacher, Mahendra Pratap said he was grateful to be part of history in the making.

“For a time of five decades, the school has unfailingly sent out students who are equipped for being great nationals on whom the country can count on for help,” Mr Pratap said.

Feedback: siliva.cawaru@fijisun.com.fj