231 students at two schools in Serua are now learning with clean, reliable energy and internet, following the launch of new solar energy systems and Starlink at Nuku Secondary School and St Peter Chanel Primary School.
Nuku Secondary School, in Nuku and surrounding villages, and nearby St Peter Chanel Primary School, which serves 110 students, have both received new solar power systems, internet connectivity, and digital learning equipment to support classrooms and teacher residences.
The project is delivered through a partnership between Fiji’s Ministry of Education, Australian NGO, It’s Time Foundation, and the Australian Government’s REnew Pacific program.
The Australian Embassy says it will provide 24-hour solar power, internet connectivity, and digital learning facilities across 31 remote and maritime schools in Fiji.
Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, and Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, joined students, teachers, and community members at Nuku Secondary School to mark the commissioning of this new infrastructure.
Radrodro says reliable electricity from solar systems can transform learning in rural communities, helping ensure students and teachers have the power, connectivity, and opportunities they need to thrive.
High Commissioner Roberts says it was wonderful to join the Minister Radrodro, the school community, and, of course, the students of Nuku Secondary and St Peter Chanel Primary schools to celebrate the commissioning of this project.
He says it’s a powerful example of how renewable energy infrastructure can build resilience and strengthen education outcomes for remote and maritime communities and Australia is proud to partner with Fiji to help ensure schools have the energy and technology they need.
Rob Edwards, CEO, It’s Time Foundation, says this project is helping close the energy and technology gap for rural and remote schools.
He says with a long-term maintenance model in place, these systems are designed to support students and teachers for generations to come.
Edwards says in Fiji, REnew Pacific is also supporting a second project in partnership between the Global Green Growth Institute, the Water Authority of Fiji and the Department of Water and Sewerage.
He says this project will install solar-hybrid and water pumping systems in seven maritime island communities, improving water reliability for nearly 5,000 people across Lakeba, Rotuma, and Vanua Balavu.
The CEO says this is in addition to Australia’s contribution to the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund that extends rural electrification to remote and maritime communities using solar mini-grid
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