1. THUMBS UP FOR “INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FIJI” – Fiji’ is one of the Pacific Island countries noted for making great strides in implementing Inclusive Education.
2. THOUSANDS WILL BENEFIT NEW BRIDGE ON OVALAU – Over Nine thousand people on the island of Ovalau will benefit from the completion of the Waidra Bridge in the district of Lovoni.
3. NEW TEACHERS’ QUARTERS BOOST MORALE – The construction and upgrading of teachers quarters at the Bureta District School in Ovalau should boost the morale of teachers working at the school.
1 THUMBS UP FOR “INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FIJI”
Fiji’ is one of the Pacific Island countries noted for making great strides in implementing Inclusive Education.
This was revealed after nominations by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Australia to implement an AusAID-funded international benchmarking activity for the Solomon Islands.
“I am happy with the Inclusive Education Program in Fiji which has only been possible through our development partner Access to Quality Education Disability Inclusive Program (AQEP). I also acknowledge the support from the community Rehabilitation Assistants through the Ministry of Health, the Disabled Peoples Organization and Special School’s assistance,” said the Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal.
“I am glad to hear that teachers from the five disability schools in Fiji have been very supportive in running this program by sacrificing their holidays to attend professional development sessions,” said Professor Carrington of CQU.
Participants and representatives from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Education and the Queensland University of Technology met with the senior officials from Fiji’s Ministry of Education.
“We look forward to working together to promote education for all children with special needs in the in the Pacific. Our well wishes are always with you in the implementation of a better inclusive education program in Solomon Islands,” Dr Lal said.
The team will also visit several special schools in Suva to interact with educators, teachers and inclusive education experts in Fiji.
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2 THOUSANDS WILL BENEFIT NEW BRIDGE ON OVALAU
Over Nine thousand people on the island of Ovalau will benefit from the completion of the Waidra Bridge in the district of Lovoni.
Lomaiviti Provincial Administrator Mr Kelepi Kubunameca said the construction of the new bridge will boost economic activities on the island of Ovalau.
“People will now find it easier and safer to take their crops to Suva and to Levuka town because this new bridge is higher than the old one which was prone to flooding,” Mr Kubunameca said.
“This was the last road project on Ovalau done by the Ministry of Works before the transfer to the Fiji Road Authority, that is why it is maintained by the Ministry of Works,” Mr Kubunameca said.
He said the initiative of building a new bridge came through the Lovoni ‘tikina’ meeting as the old bridge was too low and was prone to flooding.
“The bridge does not only benefit the people of Ovalau but will also ensure safety of travel for heavy vehicles coming in and out of the roll on roll off ferry that service Ovalau,” Mr Kubunameca said.
He is optimistic that the new bridge will be officially opened before the end of the year.
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3 NEW TEACHERS’ QUARTERS BOOST MORALE
The construction and upgrading of teachers quarters at the Bureta District School in Ovalau should boost the morale of teachers working at the school.
Over the years, working conditions for civil servants in rural and isolated communities have come “under the spotlight”. Government is now putting in place measures to ensure that this is reversed with proper living conditions provided for civil servants including teachers.
The school’s head teacher Mr Ioane Camaitoga said it has brought about a huge relief to the teachers and their families.
“The upgrading of the 2 teachers quarters will boost the morale for these teachers as most of them live away from their families,” Mr Camaitoga said.
“In 2010, Government assisted the Bureta District School with the upgrading of 2 teachers quarters. The upgrading of the 2 quarters cost $15,000 and $10,000 respectively,” Mr Camaitoga said.
He said the upgrading work began in 2010 and was completed in 2011.
The upgrading works was done by carpenters in the village of Bureta assisted by parents of students of the school.
“The village paid for the carpenter but the actual building materials were given by Government,” he said.
He said the management, teachers and parents of the school commended Government for this huge assistance in the upgrading of the quarters.
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