Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General, the Honourable David John Hurley and Her Excellency Mrs. Linda Hurley;
President of Fiji, His Excellency, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and Lady Filomena Katonivere;
High Commissioner of Australia, His Excellency John Feakes;
School Manager, Ratu Manoa Kalouniviti;
Head of School, Mr. Semi Goletoka and School Management;
Representatives from Australian High Commission;
Parents, Guardians and Students;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Bula si’a and Good Afternoon to you all.
Thank you for the warm welcome.
On behalf of the Minister for Education and Heritage and Arts, Hon. Premila Kumar and as the Acting Minister, it’s an honour to join H.E. Governor-General, the Honourable David John Hurley and The President of Fiji, H.E. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, in commissioning this classroom.
Yesterday, with H.E. the Governor-General, we opened an accommodation centre for the women of Nausori Market. This, for us was important as part of the Fijian Government’s goal of leaving no Fijian behind.
But to get to every Fijian – and to provide for them – requires strong partnership.
Our Vuvale partnership with the Government of Australia towards the education sector has increased people-to-people ties.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The funding provided for the Maramarua District School Kindergarten is yet another example of the friendship between our two nations. The Government of Australia continued its support, over the past two years, as the Fijian Government rolled out its strategies to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia has supported the Fijian education sector for over 30 years. And they continue to work as a trusted and valued partner in achieving our aim of ensuring that every Fijian child has access to quality education.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Almost 20 years of our lives goes towards preparing for our first job – starting from early childhood education within the walls of a kindergarten.
Through the Fiji Program Support Facility (Facility) –established in 2017 – Australia has supported Fiji in education, health, governance and scholarships.
Recently, with the assistance from the Facility, the Ministry of Education was able to review and update the Literacy and Numeracy curriculum. We are also now trialling Years 1 to 4 curricula in 90 schools this year while Years 5 to 8 will be trialled next year.
Strong Literacy and Numeracy skills lay the foundation for students to succeed at school, at work and their daily life. That starts from early childhood to primary school.
Revision of our secondary school English and Math curriculum is underway too. This will strengthen English and Mathematics in our whole school system.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We want to give our children — the custodians of our future — the fundamental tools to excel. And by tools – I mean a safe, conducive space to learn beyond a robust curriculum.
For us here in Fiji – especially on Vanua Levu – we often find ourselves in extraordinary circumstances. Almost every year — we have to repurpose our schools to evacuation centres. Why – because we become victims to the adversities of climate change.
The kindergarten building, we see in front of us used to be a dining hall when more students were boarding.
In 2016, this was repurposed to house students for Early Childhood Education. This was made possible through Australia’s bilateral support for our education sector under Access to Quality Education Program (AQEP).
In 2020, TC Yasa brought our schools to the ground country-wide. Maramarua District School Kindergarten wasn’t spared – costing $12,000 in damage. But the human cost – borne by our children – is beyond numbers. And that’s why we need partnership.
The Australian Defence Force and Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) rehabilitated the Kindergarten in the immediate aftermath. I am pleased to share through the long-standing friendship we’ve forged with the Australian Government, we will be building four teachers’ quarters and a seven ablution blocks at Maramarua as part of Fiji’s longer term recovery programme.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When we talk about partnership, we mean ground up. The villages of Nabavatu, Nakanacagi, Vunisea, Nabiti and Nasigasiga have been a great part of today. They were there to clean the compound, provide food and support the RFMF while construction was in progress.
The Fijian Government’s commitment towards the education of our children is evident in the near 1-billion-dollar annual budget. Through this investment and support from partners such as the Australian Government, we have increased access to schooling at all levels, from early childhood to tertiary education.
With free education, we have worked relentlessly to eliminate cost as a barrier and we will continue to invest in Education.
Education is a life-long partnership and we ask parents to support children in their journey. As parents, you should ensure your children go to school every day. Spend time with them. Help them with their homework.
Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, I am confident that together we can achieve more for our future generations. Learning is a life-long journey and with shared goals, we can ensure that our children have the opportunity to excel.
I now have the pleasure in joining H.E. General, The Honourable David John Hurley and The President of Fiji, H.E. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, in officially opening the new Maramarua District School Kindergarten classroom.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Thank You.