|πŒπˆππˆπ’π“π„π‘ π…πŽπ‘ π„πƒπ”π‚π€π“πˆπŽπ 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 ππ€π“πˆπŽππ€π‹ π‹πˆππ‘π€π‘π˜ π–π„π„πŠ 2025 𝐀𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐀 πƒπˆπ’π“π‘πˆπ‚π“ π’π‚π‡πŽπŽπ‹

The Ministry of Education has officially launched National Library Week 2025 under the theme β€œπ‘³π’Šπ’ƒπ’“π’‚π’“π’Šπ’†π’” 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π‘Ίπ’–π’”π’•π’‚π’Šπ’π’‚π’ƒπ’π’† π‘ͺπ’π’Žπ’Žπ’–π’π’Šπ’•π’Šπ’†π’”.” This year, the Hon. Minister, chose to take the opening ceremony to the maritime schools, with Bureta District School on Ovalau hosting the celebrations.

In officiating the launch, the Hon. Minister highlighted the importance of libraries in fostering education, sustainability, and resilience within communities. He reminded students, teachers, and parents that libraries are more than just collections of books, they are gateways to knowledge, creativity, and innovation.

The Hon. Minister encouraged schools across Fiji to organise activities throughout the week, such as poster displays, oratory contests, poetry recitals, book character parades, bookmark competitions, quizzes, creative writing, and book swaps. These activities, he said, will foster a stronger reading culture among students.

Addressing teachers, parents, and school management, the Hon. Minister stressed that sustaining a flourishing school library is a shared responsibility. Teachers were urged to integrate library use into classroom learning, parents were reminded of their vital role in encouraging reading habits at home, and school leaders were encouraged to prioritise resourcing and maintaining libraries.

Reaffirming the Coalition Government’s commitment, the Hon. Minister noted that in 2024–2025 the Ministry invested over $72,000 to equip 114 schools (28 ECE centres, 56 primary schools, and 30 secondary schools) with library resources such as reading materials, shelves, chairs, and tables, particularly targeting remote and maritime areas. He also highlighted investments made in training teachers and school librarians to ensure libraries remain relevant and well-managed.

β€œAs we look to the future, let us remember that the strength of our communities lies in the knowledge and wisdom of our people. The library is where that knowledge is stored, shared, and grown. Let us nurture our libraries and our love for reading, for they are the keys to a more sustainable, prosperous, and intelligent Fiji.”