To date, 115 schools in Fiji do not have access to internet, says Minister for Education Rosy Akbar.

In order for schools to fully engage in current technology-based learning resources, she says there is a need to further invest in providing equitable internet access to schools.

Teachers also need to be trained on how to effectively use E-Learning tools.

“Several schools still do not have internet access mostly due to lack of connectivity in these areas. To date we have 33 schools, apart from the 1000-plus schools we have, 33 have intermittent internet access while 115 are still without internet access,” Ms Akbar said.

“We are working with Walesi in trialling the provision of internet services in two schools right now using what we call very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT).”

The two schools are; Noikoro District School in Navosa and Beqa Secondary School.

“If the trials go well and depending on the cost progressively such technologies will be engaged to enable more remote schools to have internet access and connectivity. A modern knowledge-based society thrives on the ability of its people to be ICT literate.”

However, she said the ministry was mindful that learning resources brought from external sources bring significant financial burden and do not necessarily provide effective learning.

Ms Akbar said learning resources needed to be created that are contextualised, cost effective and sustainable and Fiji has the local capacity to do that.

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