Minister for Education, Premila Kumar received 9,000 textbooks worth $25,000(NZD)from the Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand, Michelle Podmore on behalf of the Fiji Association in Auckland.
Kumar says she is grateful for the generously donated textbooks, which strengthen the government’s free textbook initiative and enable students to access a range of reading materials as the Ministry's priority is to provide a quality and equitable education for all students.
The Education Minister says it is challenging to promote reading when we live in the age of the internet and smartphones, TikTok, viral YouTube clips, Facebook chats, tweets, and WhatsApp messages, and encourages all to rediscover the simple pleasure of reading a good book.
The Association continues to collaborate by providing a platform for students from Fiji to participate in the Secondary Schools Essay Competition and rewards participants with cash prizes, trophies or certificates.
Kumar is thankful to the Association and the New Zealand High Commission for this kind gesture and mentioned that the Education Ministry would continue to work in partnership for future collaborations.
