“We are deeply grateful for your generosity and thoughtfulness towards our students and the school community. Although our library already boasts several books, the quality of the volumes you provided today is incomparable.”
Year 8 student Adi Titilia Naocobau conveyed her emotional gratitude during the library handover ceremony at Bau District School. The library, a part of Australia’s Fiji education program, represents a commitment to enhancing educational resources in rural areas across Fiji.
In the official handover, Acting Counsellor for Human Development at the Australian High Commission, Ms. Fluer Calcutt, expressed Australia’s pride in supporting the Ministry of Education’s mission to provide all Fijian schoolchildren with access to high-quality library services that elevate teaching and learning.
“We value our partnership with the Ministry of Education and appreciate its pivotal role in building and nurturing Fiji’s future generations.”
Ms. Calcutt highlighted the significance of the school library project within Australia’s Fiji education program, describing it as a crucial pillar of community engagement.
“Through this initiative, Australia aims to instill in the younger generation a love for reading, both for leisure and as a means of acquiring knowledge and fostering positive lifelong habits,” said Ms. Calcutt.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, expressed gratitude to the Australian High Commission and the Australian government for their unwavering support in advancing Fiji’s education sector.
“Today marks a significant day as we witness the fruition of the partnership between the Australian government, through the Coalition government, and the Ministry of Education, investing in library resources,” remarked Hon. Gavoka.
The Minister conveyed the transformative power of reading to the students, emphasising that books act as vehicles transporting imagination to new horizons of knowledge.
“The library is not just a physical structure but an investment that will have a lasting impact on the children of Bau, fostering a new generation of educated individuals,” said DPM Gavoka
Hon. Gavoka acknowledged the consistent support from the Australian government, particularly in initiatives aimed at enhancing education in remote villages such as Bau District School.
He expressed confidence that the library and its resources would significantly contribute to improving reading, comprehension, and communication skills, thereby positively influencing the literacy and numeracy proficiency of the 124 school children.
The Deputy Prime Minister concluded by challenging everyone present to actively contribute to the advancement of their children’s education, emphasizing that this investment is a crucial step towards the betterment and development of the school, the Vanua, the Yasana, and the nation as a whole.
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