Minister for Education, Heritage & Arts Premila Kumar visited schools on Beqa Island as part of her normal school visits. Beqa has three primary and one secondary school, which come under Suva Education District.
These schools are Rukuaraviravi Primary, Uluinikorovatu Primary, Sawau District School, and Beqa/Yanuca Secondary School. Minister Kumar will visit more remote and maritime schools in weeks to come.
“I will continue visiting schools because I want to meet, see and appreciate the work of our teachers, the school management, and the community assisting the state in educating young Fijians. I am also making sure that my school visits are not limited to urban areas but extend to remote and maritime schools,” said the Minister.
During her visit, she addressed students, spoke to teachers regarding the teaching profession, and met the management and Heads of Schools to discuss issues regarding school operations.
Minister Kumar stressed the importance of free education grant utilisation and urged the school management to work according to the School Management Handbook, which provides clear directions on how grants are to be managed because, at the end of the day, everyone’s interest lies in the education of our children.
“Government has been investing into the education sector. Therefore, the Ministry needs to see that the Fijian Government’s investment gives returns in the form of quality education for our children,” Minister Kumar said.
“Initiatives such as free education grant, transport assistance, textbook, and sanitary pad assistance are provided to all schools across the nation irrespective of their geographical locations; there should not be any excuse as to why quality education cannot be provided.”
Minister Kumar encouraged teachers and school management during this visit to continue to work hard because students in Beqa deserve to receive the same level of education that students enjoy in urban schools.
