This is a time for reflection for the people as Fiji commemorates the second anniversary of Tropical Cyclone Winston, which slammed into our nation with terrible force in February 2016.
This was highlighted by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama while delivering his keynote address at the opening of the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers last night.
Bainimarama also called on people to observe a moment of silence to remember those who couldn’t be replaced, the 44 men, women and children who died in the affected areas.
He also highlighted many thousands of Fijians lost their homes; including many schools that were damaged or destroyed.
Bainimarama says that people have recognised the need for a new standard of resilience to meet the constant threat we now face, even outside the traditional cyclone season.
The Prime Minister says that after ensuring our very survival, nothing is more important to any nation than to equip its young people for satisfying, worthwhile lives by giving them access to quality education.
Bainimarama also highlighted that government’s proudest achievement has been our education revolution that began in 2013 and they intend to continue it.
The Prime Minister adds that the centerpiece of that revolution was the introduction, for the first time in Fiji, of free education in our primary and secondary schools, plus free textbooks and subsidised transportation.
He says as with anything on this scale and level of ambition, they have had challenges, among other things, they are streamlining the Education Ministry to be more responsive.
Bainimarama says they are working with teachers to increase their skills base and financially reward their best performers.
He says for all the challenges, he believes our education revolution is the biggest single thing that has been done by government and as a nation to benefit our people.
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