New School Building for Natovi Catholic School

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING FOR NATOVI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

1 October 2013

The students of the Natovi Catholic Primary School have a reason to smile after the opening of their new school building.

Built at a cost of $46,000, the school project materialised through the joint funding of the New Zealand and the Australian High Commissions and their partnership with the school committee.

Natovi Catholic Primary School is situated opposite the Natovi Jetty along the coast of Tailevu North and comprises a roll of 150 students.

The school sought funding to introduce classes 7 and 8 within the primary school, to better prepare children for secondary education.

During the official commissioning of the new block, Sally Page of the New Zealand High Commission and Peter Lothian of the Australian High Commission commended and acknowledged the partnership and contribution of the school committee for their ongoing efforts to complete the construction project.

The new wooden building consists of classrooms for classes 7 & 8, a library with computer room and the administration block.

Ms Page said the new facilities will provide an appropriate learning environment that will assist the pupils to actively participate in the learning process.

“We are pleased to contribute towards improving and providing access to education which will significantly benefit the students, school and the surrounding communities,” said Ms Page.

Mr Lothian said Australia’s continued assistance to Fiji’s education sector was indicative of its strong commitment to providing accessible and quality education to all in Fiji.

Mr Lothian said he hoped the additional school building would motivate the students of Natovi to attend school regularly and work hard at their studies.

Ms Page added the new building will help make the educational process a more effective one, and one that is responsive to the development needs of the community.

“Besides providing basic education, schools also serve as a community development resource that nurture students in cultural activities such as sports, drama, music, and other social activities that play a vital part in community life,” said Ms Page.

Under their respective Head of Mission Funds, NZHC and the Australian High Commission supports development projects in communities all over Fiji. One of the key priorities of the fund has been investments in education.

Through both High Commissions’ small grants schemes, many remote schools have been assisted with educational materials, furniture, tuition fees, construction of buildings and walkways, water tanks and others.

Australia and New Zealand encourage support to the education sector as it help creates opportunities for sustainable and viable economic growth, which is critical in reducing poverty and inequality.

Ms Page said the impact of investment in education is profound and this results in raising income, improving health, promoting gender equality, mitigating climate change, and reducing poverty.

ENDS

Catholic Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, with Ms Sally Page of the New Zealand High Commission and Mr Peter Lothian of the Australian High Commission, opening the new school building at Natovi Catholic Primary School last Friday.