New classrooms for primary schools in Vava'u [1]
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - 19:40
Feletoa and Taoa students celebrated the commissioning of their new classrooms at two Government Primary Schools in Vava'u on August 19.
At GPS Taoa, the building of three classrooms constructed with $619,908 pa'anga can accommodate about 75 to 90 students. While, GPS Feletoa had four classrooms constructed with $980,350 pa'anga that can house more than 100 students.
Both were constructed under the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) co-funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government, led by MEIDECC.
Australian High Commissioner, HE Mr Adrian Morrison said this marked another significant milestone in the Pacific Resilience Project.
He said these climate resilient classrooms mean that schools will be better prepared should another disaster occur and offer a safe haven for local people to take shelter, if required.
“This is the tenth completed project as we move forward on similar construction and reconstruction projects at some 30 schools in total.”
“When Tropical Cyclone Gita struck Tonga in 2018, we mobilised as quickly as we could to support you in your time of need. Earlier this year, your government made a very generous offer of support to Australia during our unprecedented bushfires.
“Now, during the Covid-19 global pandemic, we are working together to ensure our Pacific region remains safe. These new classrooms are much more conducive to effective learning. Australia is very pleased to support the Resilience Project,” he said.
"These new classrooms are much more conducive to effective learning and their construction creates and boosts local economic activity and employment, particularly valuable as the world suffers the economic effects of COVID-19."
He also commended the Government of Tonga for prioritising school reconstruction projects as part of the cyclone recovery effort.
At the same time, the Minister of Education and Training Hon Siaosi Sovaleni said of the importance of education to overcome poverty and improve livelihood and strengthen relationships within communities.
“I am certain that the classrooms will serve the local communities in years to come for these classrooms are built stronger, safer and durable,” he said.
Also present was the Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism, Hon ‘Akosita Lavulavu Minister, Lord Tu’ilakepa Minister for Agriculture and Food, MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma'u, Natalia Palu Latu, World Bank Representative, among others.