CAPTION: FMF marketing manager Ms Poonam Kritika hands over cheque to Fiji Sports Council CEO- Litiana Loabuka .
1. GOVERNMENT PRAISED FOR NEW HOME– A new life began for sixty year-old widow Mrs Shakuntala Devi of Baulevu in Nausori after been resettled into a brand new wooden home as part of Government’s social welfare poverty alleviation programme.
2. MINISTER SAYS NO TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT– Minister for Education Mr Filipe Bole has called on teachers to refrain from inflicting corporal punishment on students.
3. FMF SUPPORTS FIJI SPORTS COUNCIL RA RUGBY 7s– The Fiji Sports Council (FSC) while welcoming the FMF Foods Limited onboard as the sponsors of this weekend’s Ra rugby seven’s, has acknowledged the organisations continued support in the development of Rugby 7s in the Fiji.
4. SCHOOL HEADS ADVISED TO CHECK REGISTRATION DATES– The Ministry of Education has advised school principals to check registration dates of both the Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination (FSLCE) and the Fiji Seventh Form Examination (FSFE).
5. BOOST FOR YOUNG ATHLETES AT WORLD MEET– Five aspiring student athletes get a chance of a lifetime to represent the country at the World Youth Championships in Ukraine as government continues to emphasise the importance of sports in nation building.
1. GOVERNMENT PRAISED FOR NEW HOME
A new life began for sixty year-old widow Mrs Shakuntala Devi of Baulevu in Nausori after been resettled into a brand new wooden home as part of Government’s social welfare poverty alleviation programme.
Mrs Shakuntala had lost her house and personal belongings through a fatal fire a few years back.
Divisional Commissioner Central, Laisenia Tuitubou yesterday officially handed over the brand new wooden house worth over $10,000 to Mrs Shakuntala.
Mr Tuitubou reiterated Government’s commitment to eradicating poverty and helping those who are in need of such assistance.
“On behalf of Government, we are glad to help Mrs Shakuntala. Being a widow faced with a tragic fire accident that completely destroyed her house, it is only relevant for us to give her a helping hand,” Mr Tuitubou said.
Mr Tuitubou highlighted the assistance came through the Social Welfare Poverty Alleviation programme after Mrs Shakuntala applied for assistance through the Social Welfare Ministry in Nausori.
Mrs Shakuntala, who was overjoyed with the housing assistance, said she was grateful for the assistance provided by the Government.
“I patiently waited for my request to be approved by the Ministry and was thrilled when Government agreed to assist me in building the new house. I am indeed very thankful to the Government of the day,” Mrs Shakuntala said.
Naitasiri provincial administrator, Semi Kuru said the Poverty Alleviation programmes through the Ministry of Social Welfare is available to those who need it.
“Social Welfare recipients are eligible for such assistance if they really need especially cases like Mrs Shakuntala’s,” Mr Kuru said.
Baulevu advisory council representative, Jaywant Prasad commended the assistance by Government.
“I must commend Government for helping Mrs Devi as she was in a desperate situation when her house was destroyed by fire. She has been living alone for years after her husband passed away,” Mr Prasad said.
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2. MINISTER SAYS NO TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Minister for Education Mr Filipe Bole has called on teachers to refrain from inflicting corporal punishment on students.
“Teachers must not in any way inflict corporal punishment on students. Those who continue to disregard instructions show lack of initiative and creativity. They are bullies in the sense that they are assaulting young students who are powerless, helpless and cannot retaliate due to their size and physical strength,” Mr Bole said.
Mr Bole has advised all teachers to use methods learnt at the teacher training institutions to impart knowledge and discipline students.
“Use methods learnt at the teacher training institution and your experience as a teacher to impart knowledge and to discipline students. There are proper channels to follow if you are too angry to handle a student,” added Mr Bole.
The Minister has requested parents to monitor their children’s behaviour and groom them on proper ways to behave while in school, at church, in the bus and even when with friends.
“In our different communities, we all have a role to play in the grooming of future citizens of our country,” Mr Bole said
“It is hoped that we will all reflect on our different roles and activate them to build a better Fiji.”
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3. FMF SUPPORTS FIJI SPORTS COUNCIL RA RUGBY 7S
The Fiji Sports Council (FSC) while welcoming the FMF Foods Limited onboard as the sponsors of this weekend’s Ra rugby seven’s, has acknowledged the organisations continued support in the development of Rugby 7s in the Fiji.
FMF marketing manager, Ms Poonam Kritika, who signed the sponsorship at Walu Bay this morning, said this provided the organisation and opportunity to assist FSC in rural sports development.
“This sponsorship provides a great platform to our brand, Chow. It provides us the opportunity to showcase our product and brand in the minds of the Ra people and also providing assistance to the Sports Councils efforts of rural sports development,” Ms Kritika said.
The FMF Chow Ra Rugby 7’s tournament will kick off at Ra Sports Complex, in Rakiraki 8.30am tomorrow and continue until Saturday (July 6).
Twenty teams would be vying for the $4000 worth of cash prizes over the two day tournament.
Currently the defending champions of the Ra Sevens are the Red Rock One.
In promoting Sports, Health and Fitness, FSC has planned other tournaments to be held in Lawaqa Grounds in Nadroga and at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
FSC events officer Mr Eroni Tawayaga said the top two teams from this tournament will win a place in the major rugby Sevens tournament to be held in November at the ANZ Stadium.
“We are grateful for any support that contributes to the success of these planned tournaments ,” Mr Tawayaga said.
FSC is inviting the general public from Ra, Tavua, Rakiraki and nearby towns to come and support their teams at the Fiji Sports Council Ra Sports Complex.
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4. SCHOOL HEADS ADVISED TO CHECK REGISTRATION DATES
The Ministry of Education has advised school principals to check registration dates of both the Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination (FSLCE) and the Fiji Seventh Form Examination (FSFE).
The due date for registration of both external examinations is on July 5, 2013. However, late entries for both FSFE and FSLCE will not be received after August 2, 2013.
Principals are reminded that fees for late entries are charged with two dollars per subject for each candidate sitting FSLCE examination. The same also applies to late entries for FSFE examinations.
For further clarification, Principals are advised to contact the Director of Examination and Assessment Unit at the Ministry of Education.
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5. BOOST FOR YOUNG ATHLETES AT WORLD MEET
Five aspiring student athletes get a chance of a lifetime to represent the country at the World Youth Championships in Ukraine as government continues to emphasise the importance of sports in nation building.
The National Sports Commission has provided twenty six thousand dollars ($26,000) to fund the group’s travel expenses to the competition which is scheduled from July 12-17.
Commission executive chairman Peter Mazey said getting young athletes exposed at international competition was an area of development for Fiji.
“We have identified that the way forward for our athletes is to provide them with more international exposure and this has paid dividends previously with the team competing at Nairobi producing good results.”
Among the group is 17 year old, Saula Nodrakoro of Raviravi Beqa who is representing the country for the first time in the 400metre athletics event .
“I hope to improve my personal best (49.9seconds) and hopefully from the months of preparation and sacrifice my aim is win a medal,” an elated Mr Nodrakoro said.
Mr Nodrakoro represented Beqa Yanuca Secondary School in the Coca-Cola games won a silver medal in the 400m intermediate grade.
He is adamant that the international outing would provide him the much needed exposure and an opportunity for development in his athletics career.
Other athletes that will be representing the country are Jacob Waqanivalu, Aaron Powell and Uluiyata Batinisavu.
The group would be competing in their individual events as well as in the 400metre relay event at the world championship.
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