It was a memorable day for the students of Dreketi Primary School in Macuata to witness and be part of the commissioning of their new classrooms which all these while they have been learning under makeshift tents for the past three years.
Dreketi Primary School head teacher, Shalendra Vijay says the commissioning of the new classrooms would go down in history as a day to celebrate the dreams and aspirations of students.
Vijay says despite experiencing difficulties while learning in tents, the students did not let it deter them from pursuing their studies, as reflected in their academic achievements.
He says it was also an emotional moment for parents as they watched their children being escorted from the tents to their new learning centre.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, National Development, Strategic Planning and Statistics, Professor Biman Prasad says the substantial assistance rendered by the Australian Government through the Vuvale Partnership, resulted in the construction of the classrooms.
Professor Prasad says this has benefitted from this bilateral relationship, providing much-needed aid during some of the major challenges that hit the country like COVID-19, and the rehabilitation programs implemented in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston and Yasa.
Meanwhile, Australia's High Commissioner to Fiji, Ewen McDonald says education is the cornerstone of development and the power of education enables us to transform our lives, empower the community and create a world of possibilities.
McDonald's says they know that investing in us is the best investment they can make to the future of Fiji.
The six classrooms and two abolition blocks were constructed at a cost of $2.9million.
