Residents of Vunuku Village on Moala Island in Lau are celebrating the opening of a new kindergarten, ending more than a decade of requests for improved early childhood education facilities.

The new kindergarten at Vunuku Village School was officially commissioned by Fiji’s Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, under a $45,000 government-funded project.

Additional grant funding was also used to construct living quarters for the kindergarten teacher.

Villagers had first appealed for a kindergarten in 2014, with the project finally completed last year to provide easier access to early learning for children in Vunuku and nearby communities.

During the commissioning, Minister Radrodro said the Government remains committed to improving educational opportunities for students in rural and maritime areas.

He also urged parents, guardians and the Vanua to work together with the Ministry to tackle challenges affecting schools, including bullying and drug-related issues.

The Minister highlighted the important role families play in shaping children’s attitudes, discipline and learning, while reaffirming ongoing government support through school fee assistance, bus fare subsidies, textbooks and other education programmes.