The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Mahendra Reddy handed over a boat and engine to the management of Ratu Varani Memorial School in Kadavu Koro, Kadavu yesterday.
Ratu Varani Memorial School is a remote ED 4C Grade Boarding School in Kadavu with a school roll of 97 students.
The school provides education to the three villages of Kadavu Koro, Nacomoto, Namajiu, and the four settlements namely Soroko, Natubagunu, Burelevu and Laqere from Year 1 to Year 8.
School manager Maciu Suguta was overjoyed to receive the boat and engine from the Education Minister and thanked the Ministry of Education and the Government of the Day for the assistance.
“It will be a big boost for the students as the school has a very remote location and a boat was an urgent need,” Mr Suguta said.
“This is the first Government to provide such assistance for students in the outer islands.
“This boat will be a motivation as well for the students to work harder and achieve good marks.”
He said the boat would be a very special gift for the students as they will celebrate Children’s Day at school today.
Mr Reddy thanked the management committee for their support and contributions towards the school over the years.
“It’s my pleasure to hand over the boat and engine to your school. Our Government has stuck to its promise of delivering free, accessible, equitable and quality education to all Fijians at large and we will continue to assist the schools,” Mr Reddy said.
Head teacher Kitione Turagabeci said the assistance would have a big impact on the people as the Naceva Tikina had been neglected in terms of development.
“Also, this will enable our children to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities.
“Till now, our children were deprived of these opportunities as the cost of transportation by boat was very too expensive.”
Under the boat and engine programme, from 2015 till date, 44 schools have been assisted and six of these schools are from Kadavu.
Source: Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts
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