Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today commissioned schools in the Ra province.
In his first day of the 2nd round of re-opening classrooms that were destroyed by TC Winston, Bainimarama emphasized the importance of building durable school blocks and classrooms.
Here in the Province of Ra, the prime minister commissioned three newly built school blocks for Early Childhood Education following the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston last year.
“We are all hopeful the news school blocks and the rehabilitation program will help our kids forget the catastrophic effects of Winston and focus again on their studies. School blocks like this were built before for about $30 000 but this one here came at a cost of $148 000 and that shows government’s effort in having schools for the long run and not ones that could easily be destroyed by cyclones,” said Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.
This new $148 000 new ECE school block will accommodate 12 children here in the village of Matawailevu and near by areas.
Much better than the village hall these children were using as classrooms.
“Sometimes when we have village gathering or funeral our kids wouldn’t go to school as the hall would be used. We are thankful that we now have this classroom meaning our children will be in school everyday,” said Isaia Vonowale, School Manager.
A similar center was also commissioned in the village of Barotu which will house 18 ECE students.
This block was also built at the cost of $148 000.
“As you can see the strong structure of this school block and it can even be used as an evacuation centre. Built with the safety of our children in mind and also to withstand strong wind or cyclone. A lot have been said about schools and classrooms to be built quickly, this government doesn’t do things in shortcut. Everything needs to be done in a safe and proper manner. And we have used a substantial amount of money to build this block because of our children,” said Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.
The third ECE center was this afternoon commissioned here in the district of Nalawa, Also built with a significant cost totaling more than a hundred thousand dollars.
Bainimarama will continue his tour of reconstructed schools.