Napuka Secondary School in Tunuloa, Cakaudrove Province is now ready for 2016 academic year, says Marist Old Boys’ (MoB) Association patron Brother Samuel Eathorne.

Brother Sam, as he is known, was the chief guest at the official opening of one three-classroom school block and a teacher’s quarters last Friday.

“Today, Napuka is a fully-fledged school and now caters well for the educational needs of the community,” he said.

“I am happy to note that 2016 would be a great start off for this school.”

The school extension was made possible with the special grants provided by the Prime Minister’s Office and the assistance of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) engineers.

School principal Suluo Draunimasi said the new block of three classrooms would have a library, computer laboratory and a science laboratory.

“We are very grateful to the Prime Minister’s Office, RFMF and school management for their commitment in making sure the students will next year have access to all the facilities,” Mr Draunimasi said.

The students of the school are from the 13 villages from the Tunuloa and Natewa districts.

Mr Draunimasi said construction of the new facilities took seven months to complete.

Meanwhile, Brother Sam said Napuka Secondary School was one of the two major Marist schools in Vanua Levu.

“The history of both Napuka Secondary school and Marist Brothers High school is closely intertwined,” Mr Eathorne said.

He said in the late 70s and 80s, many students from Napuka, then a junior secondary, came to Suva to complete their senior education at Marist Brothers High school.

The school has a student roll of 188 with 20 teachers and was located 110 kilometres from Savusavu Town.

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