- PREPARE FOR FINAL TERM: MINISTER FOR EDUCATION – The Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Ambassador Filipe Bole is calling on teachers, parents, school managements and students to prepare for the final term of this 2014 academic year.
- ONLY ONE SECONDARY SCHOOL – YET TO RECEIVE SECOND TERM GRANT – The Ministry of Education’s acting permanent secretary Mrs. Basundra Kumar has advised that only one secondary school is yet to receive second term fee free grant.
- GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT UNWAVERING – Providing assistance, wherever possible, to ensure talents of Fijians are enhanced remains part of government’s commitment towards youth development.
- MEDICAL SHIP CREW VISIT SPECIAL HOMES – 67 year old Arun Kumar a resident the Senior Citizens home in Samabula was emotional when crew from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Hospital Ship PEACE ARK visited the home today.
1. PREPARE FOR FINAL TERM: MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
The Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Ambassador Filipe Bole is calling on teachers, parents, school managements and students to prepare for the final term of this 2014 academic year.
“We are now in the final week of the Term 2 holidays and with few days left, everyone should start preparing for school next week. Parents should now ensure that stationary for their children are replenished and ready before the first day of school,” Minister Bole said.
“All school managements should now see the condition of their schools and its compound. Environment contributes to the learning of students and school committees should work around the clock now to ensure classrooms are ready and in good shape.
“A conducive environment should be created to maximise the potential within our students.”
“Students are encouraged to use their time wisely and be cautious in these few days remaining. Parents are advised to monitor their children and design programmes that will engage them in useful activities.
“For the students sitting for external examinations in Year 12 and 13, revise thoroughly and equip yourselves to throw questions at your teachers when you return to school in this final term.
Teachers are advised to make necessary arrangements to be in school on the first day of Term 3. Those, who travelled from rural and remote schools must ensure they report to school on the first day to attend the staff meeting.
“I am wishing everyone the very best as we prepare ourselves for the final term of the 2014 academic year,” the Mimister said.
“The theme for the Ministry of Education for 2014 is “Embracing Excellence” and I am adamant we will all collaborate at home, school and in the wider community to aspire towards excellence in all that we do.”
-Ends-
2. ONLY ONE SECONDARY SCHOOL – YET TO RECEIVE SECOND TERM GRANT
The Ministry of Education’s acting permanent secretary Mrs. Basundra Kumar has advised that only one secondary school is yet to receive second term fee free grant.
“I acknowledge the school heads and managements of the 731 primary and 169 secondary schools for their timely submission of audited 2013 school financial report and AGM minutes,” remarked Mrs. Kumar.
“To date the Ministry of Education has disbursed a total of $44,975,409.00 for term one and two fee free grant for the qualifying primary and secondary schools. The Primary schools have received $23,492,994.00 and the secondary schools have received $21,482,415.00,” added Mrs. Kumar
“The final term grant is in progress to be submitted to the schools. The Ministry of Education’s Primary and Secondary Section will assist schools with any queries on term three grants,” concluded Mrs Kumar.
-Ends-
3. GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT UNWAVERING
Providing assistance, wherever possible, to ensure talents of Fijians are enhanced remains part of government’s commitment towards youth development.
Minister for Youth and Sports Commander Viliame Naupoto says promotion of sporting opportunities and sports development such as the provision of relevant equipment, playing grounds, sporting programs and technical experts for Fiji’s sporting enthusiasts would continue to remain at the centre of Fiji’s development.
“Government is committed to youth and sports development in our beloved country and we will continue to play our part. This includes support through scholarships for elite athletes’ and administrators,” Mr Naupoto said while speaking at the opening of the Battle of Giants Soccer tournament in Ba.
While past governments have overlooked Fiji Football Association’s development plans and programmes, the Bainimarama Government through its National Sports Commission has moved in to provide for assistance to the association in paying for its national coaching director and assisted the National under – 20 team, which will play at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand next year.
“My Ministry is very supportive of Fiji Football Association’s proposed Regional Technical Centre project in Labasa, Vanua Levu because this will be a huge boost for football in the Northern Division and for Fiji,” the minister said.
Fiji FA’s proposed project, according to Minister Naupoto, augurs well with governments efforts to harness the power of sports as a major vehicle for youth development in Fiji.
“We continue to recognise the contribution of sports to Fiji’s economy, national unity and social inclusiveness,” Minister Naupoto added.
“In this regard, it is therefore important, sports development programmes and facilities are accessible to all our youth in Fiji. To have a facility in Labasa will allow youth from Vanua Levu to explore and develop their talents in soccer.”
Labasa is well known for producing world class soccer players like Roy Krishna and this project will no doubt tap into the wealth of raw talent that is in abundance in Vanua Levu.
Minister Naupoto assured Fiji Football Association that the Ministry of Youth and Sports stands ready to assist in bringing this project into fruition.
-Ends-
4. MEDICAL SHIP CREW VISIT SPECIAL HOMES
67 year old Arun Kumar a resident the Senior Citizens home in Samabula was emotional when crew from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Hospital Ship PEACE ARK visited the home today.
“We hardly get visitors from as far as China and having them here today is blessing for most of us and we are grateful for the gifts they brought for the home,” Mr Kumar.
“I was not aware of this visit but having the staff from the ship and providing entertainment has been amazing,” Mr Kumar said.
Deputy Commander of the East Fleet Rear Admiral Shen Hao expressed his sincere appreciation to the residents at the home for allowing the team to work at the home for the next two days.
Board member of the Senior Citizens Home Marica Hellacy acknowledged the crew for their generosity and for providing the relevant medical services to the people of Fiji.
“Today’s visit is one of its kinds for the residents because we don’t have any of these sorts but with their presence the residents are delighted,” Mrs Hellacy said.
The five member crew team also visited the Valelevu Health centre where ships medical team are also assisting the staff at the health centre.
-ENDS-