The Japanese Government has reinforced its dedication towards education in Fiji by granting financial assistance to three schools of more than $500,000.

Yesterday, the Japanese Ambassa­dor, Masahiro Omura signed con­tracts with representatives from the schools, Coloi-Naivakacere Pri­mary School, Ratu Emeri Catholic School and Uluivalili College at the Embassy of Japan in Suva.

“I am pleased to inform you that all three projects are in line with the Fiji government’s national development objectives and the Ministry of Education’s Vision ‘To provide a holistic and empower­ing education system that enables all children to realise and appreci­ate fully their inheritance and po­tential contributing to a peaceful and sustainable National Develop­ment’,” he said.

These projects are funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Programme.

“The harmonisation of these pro­jects with Fiji’s development aspi­rations is key to Japan’s develop­ment cooperation with Fiji.”

Coloi-Naivakacere Primary School serves children from vil­lages of Vatukarasa, Toni, and Na­tavea as well as the settlements of Coloi, Nabaitavo in Tailevu.

The school, established in 2001, is crucial to these communities, and the school buildings have been well-maintained by communitiy ef­forts.

Mr Masahiro said: “The construc­tion of two new classrooms under this project will offer greater space and accommodate greater enrol­ment in the coming years while allowing the kindergarten and library to relocate to classrooms, which are structurally sound and secure.”

Ratu Emeri Catholic School in Cakaudrove was used by students of Wailevu West, and the Tikina of Kubulau, for 45 years. The school’s kindergarten and building had de­teriorated hence an urgent need of three classrooms was needed.

Uluivalili College in Bua Prov­ince needed additional classrooms to cater for the growing number of student enrolments.

“As of 2018, the school only has five classrooms, and is obliged to use three temporary tents to pro­vide education to all 220 students,” said Mr Omura.

The temporary tents and the classrooms are still overcrowded and unable to introduce technical subjects such as Computer Studies and Applied Technology.

“This project will ensure the construction of three new class­rooms,” he said.

Breakdown:

• $144,846 for “The Project for Up­grading of Coloi-Naivakacere Pri­mary School”
• $178,068 for “The Project for Upgrading of Ratu Emeri Catholic School”
• $185,385 for “The Project for Up­grading of Uluivalili College”.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

sheenam.chandra@fijisun.com.fj