Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum yesterday praised the education initiative by the Waitui Cluster in Rewa.

“You will go down in the history books as the only school grouping that has actually come up with this initiative,” the Attorney-General and Minister for Education said.

The initiative is called the Waitui Cluster Education Partnership Model and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by stakeholders from the member schools, Rewa District School, Vutia District School, St Joseph’s Primary School Naililili, Nukui District School and Burebasaga District School at Rewa District School witnessed by Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

The stakeholders in the MOU include the teachers, students, school committees, parents, vanua elders, church reps, tikina and provincial council officials, plus the Delaibatiki family as sponsors.

The model believes that for students from pre-school to Year 8 to score high marks and access secondary and tertiary education, they need the support of all the said stakeholders.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said: “We can use your example in other areas to replicate precisely what you have done.

“So people of Rewa are pioneers of this particular initiative.”

The spokesperson for the head teachers, Peceli Rayasi, of Rewa District School, said they appreciated the presence of Mr Sayed-Khaiyum to witness the event. He said the teachers were excited with the new initiative.

“We believe it will increase the standard of education,” he said.

He also thanked the minister for handing over a new fibre glass boat and an outboard engine to Rewa District School.

The co-ordinator for the cluster, Alipate Senikuta, also thanked the minister. He said it was encouraging to hear from the minister that this was a pioneering initiative.

Asenaca Delaibatiki, whose family has sponsored this initiative, said: “This is the beginning of a new journey.”

“It requires a change in mindset among the stakeholders. We believe that the responsibility to help students succeed not only rests with the parents, student and teachers. It is also the responsibility of the school committee, vanua, the church, the tikina and provincial councils.

“For example, under the MOU, the cluster can ask the vanua and the church not to hold any events during revision and exam weeks. Sometimes these events take parents away from the family and clutter students’ time. The students need to focus on their studies and they need the support of their parents.

“The MOU also opens the door for other initiatives. For example, I hear a village wants to use the community hall for students to study and be tutored during the week.

“The shields and cash gifts we have donated for top academic students are designed to encourage competition for top marks. These are just incentives. The key is the support by all stakeholders. If we are all on the same page, we can achieve the desired outcomes.”

Stakeholder reps cut a cake with Mr Sayed-Khaiyum to celebrate the MOU.

Stakeholder reps of the Waitui Cluster Education Partnership Model cut a cake to celebrate with Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Photo: Simione Haravanua

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback:  simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj