PM Commissions $2.1m College To Enhance Education As Top Priority

The education of Fijians of all ages in all parts of the country has always been my Government’s greatest priority and the pandemic reminded us why.

The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said this while officiating at the opening of the $2.1 million Muaira Red Crescent Methodist College in Lautoka yesterday.

The construction works were funded by the Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates, the United Arab Emirates affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

“The only way Fiji and the entire world have been able to fight back against COVID and regain our freedom, is due to the knowledge, ideas and inventions of educated people,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“Without education we wouldn’t have the scientists who developed life-saving vaccines, or the knowledge of how to get those vaccines to every single Fijian. Without education we wouldn’t have doctors and nurses who worked around the clock to keep thousands of Fijians alive.”

He said education provided the Government with thousands of people who helped in the decision making for the health, security, food, economy, education, agriculture, environment, housing and infrastructure sectors.

“Please never forget how important your education is to you, your family and for Fiji,” he said.

“Especially in this day and age, when we have made it free for all students at the primary and secondary levels, and when so many avenues are now available to you.

“Whether that is the sciences, academics, hospitality, a technical endeavour, or any other path you choose for yourselves.”

The new school will cater for students and the Lautoka-Nadi corridor and can accommodate more than 500 children.

“The college is now equipped with an Industrial Arts Workshop; a Computer Lab; a Science Lab and a Home Economics Lab. I know that a library, school hall, and more classrooms are also in the pipeline,” he said.

“World-class facilities enable every student to grow to their fullest potential; preparing them to be valuable Fijian and global citizens.”

The Red Crescent Society of the UAE Deputy Secretary-General for Marketing and Resource Development Affairs, Hamoud Aljounaibi, said the UAE’s development efforts incorporated the education sector and its global mission to help mankind.

Muaira Red Crescent Methodist College school manager Albert Wise said the land was allocated by the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma.

He said the school has 140 students in total and 12 teachers.

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