Caption:Australian High Commissioner Margaret Twomey presents the completion certificate for Nakoroboya Primary School to Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy.Photo:SUPPLIED.
The Nakoroboya Primary School community in Ba joined its 90 students in celebrating their new school facilities after a $335,000 investment by the Australian Government’s Access to Quality Education Program (AQEP) on Friday January 23 . The Japanese Government also contributed to the new facilities.
Australian High Commissioner Margaret Twomey and Japanese Ambassador Takuji Hanatani handed over the new facilities at the school this morning with the Minister for Education, Dr Mahendra Reddy.
“It is wonderful to know that the 90 boys and girls of Nakoroboya Primary School now have a new school in which to pursue their educations – a safer school which removes the community from the danger of landslides at the old location, which we also visited this morning,” Ms Twomey said.
Australian assistance was provided to Nakoroboya Primary after urgent infrastructure and health needs were identified at the old school site in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Evan in December 2012. The assistance has included the relocation of the school and construction of four classrooms, an ablution block, three teacher’s quarters and 60 sets of student desks and chairs.
The Japanese Government also provided infrastructure support to the school.
“I am confident that this project will further strengthen friendship and partnership between the people and governments of Fiji, Australia and Japan,” Mr Hanatani said.
Ms Twomey thanked teachers, school management and the community for supporting Nakoroboya Primary School and encouraged them to continue to do so for the benefit of their children.
“A dream and a desire hatched several years ago has now become a reality. We are extremely pleased that the primary school has been reestablished at this new location, primarily for the support of the governments of Australia, Japan and Fiji,” Nakoroboya Primary Head Teacher Michelle Raqona said.
Working closely with the Ministry of Education, school authorities, management committees and education stakeholders, AQEP works to improve the ability of boys and girls from rural, remote and disadvantaged communities, including children with disabilities, to enrol and stay in school.
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