The Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage and Arts, Dr Anjeela Jokhan, commissioned the new 1×2 Classroom building at Navonu Primary School in Savusavu, yesterday (27/09/22).

“The commissioning of the school facility marks an important milestone for students, teachers, school stakeholders and the broader community surrounding the school,” said Dr Jokhan.

The Permanent Secretary thanked the US Government for funding the project.

“This is indeed a moment of great importance for all of us who see the education of our children as the top-most priority and I extend my gratitude to the United States of America that supported and funded this project through the Pacific Partnership – strengthening friendships to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” she said.

Dr Jokhan stressed the importance of having proper infrastructure for conducive learning and teaching to take place, which is undoubtedly of great significance to the promotion of quality and equitable education for our children.

She added that good facilities and infrastructure are important in producing good education outcomes and she has no doubt that better facilities such as the new building will encourage better school attendance.

The student number at the school has increased to 182 since the school was established in 1979.

Over the years, the school has grown, both in its roll and stature, through the support that the Government has provided through Free Education Grant, Textbook Assistance, and Transport Assistance.

Dr Jokhan emphasized that positive outcomes will always be the result of investing into our children’s education, something which the Fijian Government is really committed to. The Ministry had also assisted the school with a library room, ablution block and teachers quarters.

Dr Jokhan reminded the students and teachers of the importance of taking ownership of their immediate surroundings which comes with inculcating moral values in students to curb problems of vandalism and damage to school properties. She also urged the management and the Head of School to develop procedures for the maintenance and renovation of the buildings.

She thanked the teachers, parents, students and the broader community for showing the spirit of cooperation needed in children’s education.