SALUTATIONS:
✔ The Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro
✔ Commissioner Northern and respective Senior Government Officials, Heads of
Departments
✔ The Buli Lekutu, Turaga ni Vanua
✔ H.E Ewen McDonald, Australian High Commissioner to Fiji and Special Enviy
to the Pacific;
✔ The Principal, Teachers, and Students of Lekutu District School and Lekutu
Secondary School
✔ Representatives from the Government of Australia
✔ Distinguished Guests
✔ Faith-based leaders in nearby communities
✔ Vanua/Village and Tikina leaders from nearby villages
✔ Parents, Students, and Community Members
Opening Remarks
Miau Sa Bula Re! Bula Vinaka & Good Afternoon to you all.
My sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to me this morning.
As your Prime Minister, I am extremely honored to join you all this morning for this official commissioning and handover
of new facilities at Lekutu District School and Lekutu Secondary School.
It is my privilege to be here to celebrate this milestone with you.
Before I proceed, I wish to acknowledge and pay my respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather today.
Vua na Turaga na Buli Dama and all the traditional leaders present, vinaka-vaka-levu for your gracious hospitality.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the Australian Government and her people for their ongoing generous support.
The bilateral partnership between Fiji and Australia extends to development and education assistance, and today we see the fruits of this collaboration.
Since its inception in 1978, Lekutu Secondary School has been pivotal in providing quality education to numerous students from the Tikina of Lekutu, including 13 villages and maritime communities.
Today, we celebrate opening of new infrastructure that marks a new chapter in their history, enhancing the learning environment for our children.
Ladies & gentlemen, the impact of climate change is felt worldwide, with an increased number and intensity of natural disasters. Fiji is no exception.
Tropical Cyclone Yasa was devastating, causing extensive damage to both Lekutu District School and Lekutu Secondary School.
The new facilities at Lekutu District School and Lekutu Secondary School, valued at a combined total of F$11.3 million, were made possible through Australia’s Tropical Cyclone Yasa/Ana Recovery Program.
This project will benefit a total of 218 students and 20 teachers at Lekutu Secondary School, and 179 students and 8 teachers at Lekutu District School.
These facilities, which include dormitories, dinning halls, teachers’ quarters, and more, will provide a modern and conducive environment for teaching and learning.
The construction of these new facilities began in July 2021 and was completed this month, July 2024.
This three year project is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.
The School Management of Lekutu District School has shown remarkable resilience and dedication in their efforts to rebuild.
Their partnership with donors and unwavering commitment is a testament to the value placed on education for the children of Lekutu.
Vinaka saka vakalevu vei kemuni na turaga, marama taukei ni koronivuli ena tikina o Lekutu, ena nomudou sega vakadua
ni sorova ena kena sasagataki tiko ga me qaravi na vuli ka sa mai vakavotukana ena siga nikua na nomuni sasaga.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to Pacific Building Solutions, the contractor for both Lekutu District
School and Lekutu Secondary School, for their assistance in completing this project.
The combined efforts of all parties involved have brought us to this significant moment. The use of local resources also ensures that we continue to invest and grow our local communities.
Education remains a priority for our government.
We are committed to investing in our children’s education to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed.
Our support extends to various initiatives, including the Free Education Grant (Year 1-13), Transport Assistance for
families whose combined household income is $16,000 or less, and the $200 back to school support which will be paid our before school resumes in 2025.
The Ministry of Education continues to support access to inclusive education.
We are committed to ensuring that no student is left behind and that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
This includes ensuring that no school levies any enrolment fee on any student.
Circular 86 has provided the details of the Ministry of Education’s directives to all 4 divisional offices, 9 district officers and all Heads of School.
As we come together to commission these new facilities, I urge everyone present today to continue to work together in
supporting holistic education for the future of the vanua of Lekutu.
Our collective commitment to education will not only benefit Lekutu but the yasana o Bua and our beloved Fiji.
It’s a promise to our children and to all Fijians that education is our priority.
Let us take ownership of the buildings, the classrooms and effectively utilize this gift from the Australian people and the
Australia government in our quest to support quality inclusive education in Lekutu.
With these words, I once again thank the Australian Government and the people of Australia for supporting the education sector in Fiji.
I now have much pleasure in officially commissioning and handing over the new school facilities to the School Management Committees of Lekutu District School and Lekutu Secondary School.
Vinaka-vakalevu, Dhaanyabaad and Thank you,
May God continue to bless Fiji.